Office of the Historian

740.00119 EW/6–1148: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

top secret   us urgent
Washington, June 26, 1948—2 p. m.

2425. For Douglas. Fol is paraphrase cable from Clay to Army 25 June “Instructions to resume reparations require early notification to Soviet military adm. Robertson advised me 24 June his instructions require notification prior 30 June. He is asking these instructions be rescinded as he feels strongly such notification in present tense situation should be deferred until situation clarifies. French have also pressed for early action. However doubt very much if Koenig will press for immediate notification under present conditions. Therefore concur with Robertson. Unless I receive contrary instructions will agree meet Brit views when received from Brit Govt, which am sure will permit us discretion re timing of notification”. Army with Dept concurrence authorized Clay proceed as recommended. Since Clay [Page 770] quoted as proposing make Soviet notification concurrent with IARA notification (Berlin’s 1344 June 11 repeated London as 236; Paris as 2341) assume Clay desires also defer IARA notification. Army requesting Clay’s comments re soonest resumption IARA notifications even though Soviet notification deferred.

Sent London as 2425 for Douglas; repeated USPolAd Berlin as 1117; repeated Brussels as 983 for Dorr; repeated Paris as 2323 for Caffery.

Marshall

  1. Not printed. It transmitted a message from General Clay to Ambassador Douglas commenting upon suggested language for the notification to Soviet authorities in Germany of the new reparations policy in the Western zones. Clay’s message read in part as follows:

    “I do not think that the language is as important as the timing. I personally feel that the timing should await the completion of the allocation and that the Soviet Commander in Chief should not be notified of the proposed action until he can be furnished with the list of the plants which are held for future allocation and delivery to him. This should be timed concurrently with the notification to IARA. Events of next several days could well influence the message which the three military governors will determine to be advisable at the time the notification is made.” (740.00119 EW/6–1148)

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