Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–2447: Telegram

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

secret

Berlin, December 24, 1947—4 p.m.

3786. Personal for Gallman. There seems to be surprising discrepancy between the viewpoint attributed to Kirkpatrick³ and our understanding of Mr. Bevin’s views, particularly Kirkpatrick’s opinion that central government should be established promptly, presumably at Frankfurt.

On subject of payment of reparations to the Soviet Union, we, of course, do not agree with Kirkpatrick’s view that the Russians should be appeased in order to obtain respect for the Four-Power agreement which authorizes the powers to occupy sectors in the greater Berlin area.

Sent Department 3786, to Moscow as 598, for London as 464.

Murphy

3. See telegram 6607, December 23, from London, supra.