740.00119 EW/6–448: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
2470. For Saltzman. 1. I have General Clay’s comments on reparations as reported in Embtel 2425, June 2.1 He feels that there is no need for that part of paragraph nine which refers to the presentation of above procedures to the German people. The Germans have been told that reparations must be carried through and that there is no need for any further explanation to them.
2. General Clay also feels that there is no merit in stating that discussions will be held to determine whether past deliveries of the 15 percent share, etc., as the Soviets are up to date on their reciprocal deliveries since the modification of Potsdam in respect to the time period in which they are to make deliveries to the west, and that it would be “rubbing it in” to require them to match deliveries made from the western zones to the Soviet Zone prior to the negotiations of the recent agreement.
3. Finally, General Clay feels that it would be preferable for the three military governors to act jointly rather than, as is contemplated in Section I, paragraph two, in consultation.
4. General Clay will make no issue of these points but will express his views on them through the Army Department.2
[Page 758]5. My own views on General Clay’s comments are as follows:
- A.
- As to presentation to the German people, his comments should, it seems to me, be controlling.
- B.
- As to his second comment I agree with him. Inasmuch as under Potsdam the Soviets have five years in which to make reciprocal deliveries to the west, and inasmuch as it is only under the terms of the recent agreement that they are required to match deliveries from the west to the east made subsequent to the date of the agreement, it would seem to me to be pressing for it too far for too little advantage now to require them to make deliveries for which they were not previously obligated.
- C.
- As to General Clay’s comments on consultation, it seems to me that he is correct. If the selection of capital equipment for reparations is made jointly by the three Commanders-in-Chief instead of individually after consultation (a) we will be assured of a more uniform policy as among the zones and (b) will not have lost to the same extent what we otherwise would have lost, our bargaining power in connection with the remaining reparation issues which would still be subject to negotiations.
Sent Department 2470, repeated to Berlin for General Clay 171.