862.011/8–1348: Telegram

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

confidential

2033. Preparatory Constitutional Committee appointed by 11 Ministers President and including Suhr from Berlin has met this week at Herrenchiemsee, Bavaria.1 Sessions will continue next week. Only scattered indications yet available as to course of committee’s thinking. Military Government maintaining hands-off attitude. Responsible authorities here feel importance of committee’s work should not be overemphasized. SPD, CDU and others will likewise have draft constitutions ready for consideration by Parliamentary Council. Civil administration division, OMGUS, believes Ministers President committee [Page 415] draft will not have as much influence as CDU draft, since CDU will have largest single representation in Council meeting.

Ministers President are reported favoring Bonn as Parliamentary Council site with Karlsruhe runner-up.

Repeated London as 473.

Murphy
  1. The Preparatory Constitutional Committee (or Committee of Experts) met at Herrenchiemsee from August 10 to August 23. Regarding the transactions of the conference and the report submitted to the Ministers President, see the editorial note, p. 418.