740.00119 Control (Germany) /11–2146: Telegram
Mr. Donald Heath, Chargé in the Office of the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy), to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—6:20 p.m.]
2692. Mytel 2642, November 17.7
1. Degree of futility not witnessed recently in any control body was attained in inconclusive 3-hour debate in 47th meeting of Control Council November 20 on question of labor removals.
French member submitted constructive proposal that Coordinating Committee be directed, on basis of paragraph 19A of Proclamation No. 2,8 to draft law on future work contracts and that mention of this action be made in communiqué. He added that French authorities might not accept refusal to leave on part of any German workers required but he thought uniform rules would be best way of obviating such refusal.
[Page 748]Soviet chairman maintained no statement or communiqué should be issued. He regarded French proposal as step to amend Proclamation No. 2 which was agreed upon by govts and which only latter were free to change. British action in raising matter in Coordinating Committee was illegal since it related to matter dealt with in Proclamation No. 2. He saw no reason to issue public declaration simply because of anti-Soviet campaign of German press, otherwise Control Council would have to issue communiqués in case of every German attack on Allies which would mean that future deliberations would in fact be managed by German press.
British member mentioned that he was under pressure from Parliament and British press and that he might have to publicly declare British opposition to forced recruitment of German labor. US member said he was in same position and that statement might be required to allay German apprehension under “disease and unrest formula” which took cognizance of possible threat to occupation mission. Sokolovsky replied that methods used by US intelligence agencies had also caused unrest in Soviet Zone.
US member declared US recruitment of scientists9 was based on voluntary contracts valid only for 6 months. He accepted previous Soviet statement that recent Soviet recruitment of German specialists was based voluntary contracts but pointed out that methods of removal had created uneasiness. British member declared that British employment of scientists also was on purely voluntary basis. Sokolovsky asked whether other powers intended to carry out further recruitment of German scientists. Each of other delegations reserved their right to do so but only in relatively few numbers and with employees’ consent. Sokolovsky then said that as far as Soviets were concerned they had no desire to continue any further removals of German specialists although German engineers might be employed in same manner that other foreign engineers had been brought to Russia to assist in works like building of Dnieper Dam. Consequently in his view there was no need for additional regulations.
US member pointed out that position of all delegates was thus same. Various members proposed drafts of communiqué which in essence would have stated that all past removals of workers were carried out voluntarily and that Control Council did not contemplate changing this manner of voluntary contract. Sokolovsky offered draft stating simply that removals had taken place according to individually made contracts. He rejected additional sentence suggested by British that Control Council proposed always to proceed on [Page 749] this voluntary basis. When asked whether he would recommend to his Govt an implementation of Proclamation No. 2 he said he had no intention of making this approach in view of slander published in German press and presented in British memorandum to Coordinating Committee. He stressed that respective govts had drafted proclamation and that they may have different views. Revision of one article would lead to other revisions. Sokolovsky proposed question be withdrawn and be considered “suspended”. US and British members reserved right to make such press announcements as they considered necessary. Sokolovsky acknowledged that each delegation was free to make public statements in “controlled and uncontrolled press”.
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Sent Dept as 2692; repeated Moscow as 385; Paris as 374 and to London as 387.
- Not printed; it reported on continued failure at the 89th Coordinating Committee meeting, November 16, to reach agreement on issuance of a public statement on labor removals (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–1746).↩
- For text of Control Council Proclamation No. 2, Certain Additional Requirements Imposed on Germany, September 20, 1945, see Official Gazette of the Control Council for Germany, p. 13. Paragraph 19(a) reads as follows: “The German authorities will carry out, for the benefit of the United Nations, such measures of restitution, reinstatement, restoration, reparation, reconstruction, relief and rehabilitation as the Allied Representatives may prescribe. For these purposes the German authorities will effect or procure the surrender or transfer of such property, assets, rights, titles and interests, effect such deliveries and carry out such repair, building and construction work, whether in Germany or elsewhere, and will provide such transport, plant, equipment and materials of all kinds, labour, personnel, and specialist and other services, for use in Germany or elsewhere, as the Allied Representatives may direct.”↩
- For a statement on United States policy on interim exploitation of German and Austrian scientists, see the memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to President Truman, August 30, p. 689.↩