740.00119 Council/5–2048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
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1885. Following are Dept’s views urtels 21671 and 2186.2 In view great importance of security question which will require later detailed consideration by US Govt, you will appreciate Dept’s comments are submitted by way of informal guidance.
Section of draft report on security dealing with occupation period appears generally acceptable. Re (3) “disarmament and control of industry” we suggest that “mil govs should exercise agreed controls, etc.” Reference to “such controls as have been agreed” seems undesirable in view existing deviations from ACC provisions which have been made necessary by Sov opposition to evolution of controls already instituted. Re (5) “military occupation” possible refinement would be “It was agreed that the occupation of Germany would presumably have to continue for a long period of time.”
Dept concerned about section dealing with post-control period, in particular points (1) and (3) on demilitarization and disarmament and control of industry. We should have preferred treating these as matters for peace treaty decision (par 2, Deptel 17103). Present text in absence of reference to general security system or measures for preservation German territorial integrity could be literally construed to mean Germany would be left defenseless against possible eastern pressure. We do not believe this is what French intend. We remain firm in our resolve to prevent German future aggression as you may stress by our agreement on need for consultation. At the same time it is impossible for us to undertake hard and fast unrelated commitments of the nature specified in draft report concerning post-occupation period. We would be prepared to accept statement expressing expectation that controls in that period would evolve from present controls on basis of consultation. Peace settlement will presumably [Page 275] provide for demilitarization, disarmament, control of industry, inspection and enforcement, and in such a way as to be related to disposition of United Nations acting through regional arrangements as provided in Article 53 of the Charter. We envisage that regional arrangements would also eventually provide for defense against attack by or through Germany which would necessarily include measures for German territorial integrity.
In view importance which concluding communique will assume at this juncture please cable us draft text before issuance.
Above is submitted in specific reply to your inquiries as distinct from change in general position created by French.