740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–246: Telegram
Mr. Donald Heath, Chargé in the Office of the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy), to the Secretary of State
[Received December 2—7:15 p.m.]
2783. Pending Department’s instructions we have refused concurrence in a paper briefing US member Coordinating Committee on question of most effective method for increasing coal mine manpower. [Page 751] This question scheduled for discussion in near future after Labor Supply Committee of Manpower Directorate and Manpower Directorate unable reach agreement. All four powers agree on necessity for compulsory placement of unemployed. Question now is whether it is also necessary to effectuate compulsory transfers to coal mines from other work and to compel retention of those already working in mines.
British delegation actively urge quadripartite approval for compulsory transfers of employed persons to coal mining and if necessary for universal compulsory service in mines. They argue it is impossible to obtain sufficient voluntary workers. They have actually been making compulsory transfers from nearly all industries in their zone to Ruhr coal mines.
French and Soviet delegations agree that compulsory or “slave labor” is unsatisfactory from economic viewpoint and fundamentally undemocratic. They believe other means of increasing output would be more effective and should be tried first. They emphasize that coal report shows June coal production in Ruhr to be only 38 percent of 1938, while employment was 83 percent of 1938, showing primary problem is utilization of existing labor supply.
Proposed brief holds that in American opinion British have direct responsibility for operation Ruhr mines and in view of their firm conclusion that compulsion is necessary, it is probably necessary to grant such powers on emergency basis. Additionally, principle is upheld that in [basic] economic matters US delegation should not differ from British in quadripartite negotiations. US delegation does not favor compulsory labor in principle and would not use such measure in our zone. At same time precedents exist in all zones. Brief states that compulsory labor may temporarily be necessary evil in view of emergency existing in basically important coal mining industry and these considerations temporarily override consideration of democratic principles. Brief instructs US delegate to agree to drafting of law for universal compulsory service of all males reaching 21 years if labor supply in Ruhr remains inadequate by January 30. Otherwise US delegate is instructed to assume position permitting other delegates to express opinions and determine final position as compromise between British on one hand and French and Soviet positions on other.
I should suggest explaining with British Government possibility providing additional inducements to miners, such as more food for families, emergency lodgings and other consumer necessities, financial benefits, etc. More than likely US would prefer offer substantial aid to British along these lines before sanctioning proposed compulsions even for grave national emergency in Germany.
[Page 752]As stated above, we are withholding concurrence and request Department’s views.
Please advise Ambassador Murphy.13
- Mr. Murphy was at this time a member of the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Economic Unification of the British and American Zones in Germany, being held in Washington.↩