740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–2347: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
6607. Embassy’s 6572, December 20, 2 p.m.2 Kirkpatrick has already taken over Harvey’s duties Foreign Office. I called on him today and found him preoccupied with German questions.
Kirkpatrick said that three questions were engaging his particular attention: reparations, Four Power administration in Berlin, and the establishment of a central government. The first two seemed to him to be somewhat related.
He thought some reparations, however limited, should be paid the Russians. A carrot in that form might keep the Russians at least for a time from creating intolerable conditions for the British, Americans and French in Berlin.
The position of the British, Americans and French in Berlin, he thought, should be very carefully reviewed. If there was any doubt [Page 905] that their position could not be maintained, then he felt an announcement should be made placing the blame on the Russians and a dignified withdrawal made. An intolerable situation would be created if after making it known that there was no intention of withdrawing, conditions developed that compelled withdrawal.
It was essential in his view that a central government be established, preferably at Frankfurt, promptly. It should be called a “provisional government” and this should be widely publicized even though the Russians were bound to call it a definitive government for the western zones.
Sent Department 6607; repeated Berlin 537; Moscow 367.
- Not printed.↩