740.00119 Control (Germany) /12–246: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Mr. Donald Heath, Chargé in the Office of the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy)
2411. You should advise strongly against accepting Brit proposal cited urtel 2783 Dec 2. Dept feels overriding political considerations, such as public reaction this country, lineup on this issue in Berlin vis-à-vis other Allied reps with attendant repercussions in Germany, make approval of Brit proposal for compulsory transfers highly inadvisable.
Despite critical manpower needs principle of compulsory labor transfers considered unjustifiable. US and UK position compulsory labor transfers outside Germany was recently clearly enunciated in connection arbitrary Soviet action. While that problem concerned transfers outside Germany principle of compulsion also applicable to labor within Germany. Present Brit position inconsistent. US should consistently oppose compulsory transfers on principle.
From practical angle persons transferred to mining on compulsory basis less likely prove productive workers than voluntary workers. In any case compulsory transfers hardly likely improve productivity of workers. Additional inducements to miners mentioned urtel and improvement in administration of Ruhr mines and higher priorities for mine supplies and equipment should be attempted before even considering drastic proposal for forced labor transfers. Inducement program has not been exploited to full. If pressed it might solve major difficulties. Without it compulsion may reduce production.
Repatriated POWs many whom working French Belgian mines may offer additional sources labor supply although progress affecting repatriation this category POWs has been slow and no assurance satisfactory arrangements be worked out at early date.
Re your statement that US might aid Brit in providing substantial inducements to miners this Govt contemplates no such assistance except as it might be forthcoming within frame of UK-US zonal arrangements. For your info Dept recently turned down Brit request for large scale imports for rehabilitation of Ruhr and restoration [Page 753] of milling industry stating that question should be taken up in Berlin and that such supplies should be obtained first from indigenous resources.
Amb Murphy and Gen Clay have been consulted and concur in foregoing.