740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–3048: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany ( Murphy ) to the Secretary of State
23. Personal for Saltzman and Hickerson. I attended meeting of three military governors at Frankfurt today which was marked by great cordiality. After discussion of numerous points raised principally by French military governor, views of three military governors considered sufficiently reconciled regarding all features of London recommendations permitting agreement to convoke German Minister-Presidents July 1 at 11:30 a. m., Koenig’s attitude cooperative and in connection with the two issues about which it was believed there would be considerable debate, namely paragraph 4 TRI/131 regarding method of choosing delegates to the Constituent Assembly and the matter of land boundaries, no particular difficulty experienced.
It was agreed that at tomorrow’s meeting, which will be preceded by courtesy meetings with the individual German Minister-Presidents, that General Clay would preside and would present to the Minister-Presidents the paper on the Constituent Assembly; General Robertson the paper on land boundaries, and General Koenig the paper on the occupational statute.2
It was agreed that the Minister-Presidents would be authorized to decide the Constituent Assembly question by simple majority; also that, if Minister-Presidents insist on some form of participation of Minister-Presidents from eastern zone, there would be no objection. Agreed that it is important that Germans be permitted to invite eastern [Page 379] Minister-Presidents and representatives from Berlin. This could include symbolic representation from the western zone [of Berlin?]. In that connection, some form of communication would then be made to the Soviet Military Administration. With regard to land boundaries, there was a discussion of the North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rhine Palatinate question, General Koenig emphasizing that his instructions would in no event permit North Rhineland to be separated from the Palatinate and joined to North Rhine-Westphalia.
The discussion regarding the method of choosing the delegates to the Constituent Assembly was brief. Koenig repeated the well-known French argument on this point, adding that particularly at this time, with the state of popular nervousness existing, general elections would not be wise. The US and UK stood by the text of the London recommendations.
There was a discussion regarding the use of the veto by any one military governor, Robertson pointing out that it would be quite untenable that a military governor be permitted to veto a system adopted by a State, Clay emphasizing that he did not agree that a single military governor had the power of veto. Clay also pointed out that military governors could leave choice to the respective Landtags or each military governor could exercise pressure on a Landtag. US prefers not to bring pressure and will not do so unless other military governors do.
There was discussion of the language in TRI/17 (final)3 paragraph 1 D regarding occupational costs within defined limits agreed upon between the military governors.
The procedure to be followed under this paragraph will be decided on at the next meeting of the military governors.
There was also a discussion of the suggestion made at London regarding a vetting party for appointed officials, but it was agreed to re-examine this question as the case may arise. A vetting party was not established.
It was also agreed that the committee of government advisers to remain in liaison with the German Constituent Assembly will not constitute a formal committee, but there will be separate representatives of the three military governors. In the event they do not succeed in coordinating their work and indulge in individual lobbying with the Germans, it was decided that in such case the military governors would intervene. The military governors agreed to the establishment of working party whose duty it will be to submit the required report on prohibited and restricted industries before September 1 or as early thereafter as possible. This relates to the negotiation regarding the adhesion of the French Zone to JEIA.
[Page 380]General Koenig also informed the meeting that the French Government intends to invite the US and UK Government to a meeting on or about July 18 for the purpose of drafting the detailed agreement on the Ruhr contemplated by paragraph 12 of TRI/16.4
General Koenig also wished it noted that the study to be made by governments regarding the protection of foreign assets should be ended by September 1 to enable the appointment of GA working party by that date.
The committee setup regarding the French Zone’s participation in JEIA was requested to submit its report as soon as possible, the deadline being August 1.
Reference was also made to the question of possible reservations in respect of the resumption of Four-Power negotiations. Military governors agreed that this question was too delicate to raise now and that there would be no public statement regarding it.
It was also agreed that at the end of tomorrow’s meeting, the Minister-Presidents will be consulted as to how and when following meetings will be arranged.
In summing up, it should be said that today’s meeting ended on tone of general satisfaction and constructive approach which augurs well for progress as contemplated by the London recommendations.
Repeated Paris personal for Caffery as 5 and London personal for Douglas as 8.