Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

862.6362/2–1146: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy)

secret

Washington, February 11, 1946—8 p.m.

387. French Govt has presented to Dept aide-mémoire⁵⁷ protesting statement allegedly made by US representative Economic Directorate in meeting of Jan 10. US position described as having been that since German domestic coal requirements were not being met that no expansion in coal exports could be considered. French position described as having been that coal exports should be maximized within limits of transport capabilities. French protest made on basis alleged US position violates July coal directive.⁵⁸

Would you report fully relevant portion Jan 10 meeting.

Byrnes

57. Dated February 8, not printed.
58. For text of the directive issued to General Eisenhower by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, July 26, 1945, see Foreign Relations, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, vol. ii, p. 1028.