Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–148: Telegram

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

secret

Berlin , April 1, 1948—5 p. m.

746. Now that US representative has become chairman Control Council for April, whether Soviets will continue quadripartite meetings will be tested. The following are presumably main factors which have prompted them bring Control Council machinery to its present standstill (mytel 738, March 31, and previous¹):

(1) Since fusion British and American zones, and recent London conferences with respect of a fusion all three western zones, Soviet position and propaganda in Germany has given Kremlin increasing grounds for concern and dissatisfaction. Hence threat to regard Control Council as having been destroyed by actions western powers “behind its back” may represent bold Soviet effort to induce western powers to liquidate bizonal administration and terminate further discussions looking towards eventual establishment trizonal fusion.

(2) Charge that western powers have destroyed Control Council constitutes an important element in Soviet plan force all three western powers out of Berlin, in order liquidate this remaining “center of reaction” east of Iron Curtain. Next step may be Soviet denunciation of agreement of November 14, 1944² and demand for withdrawal western powers. In view prospect that such ultimatum would be rejected, Soviets may move obliquely endeavoring make it increasingly impossible or unprofitable for western powers to remain on, for example, by interfering with slender communication lines between Berlin and western zones, taking further action toward splitting up city, bearing down on non-Communist political parties in Soviet sector, et cetera (reference my despatch 445, March 22³). In this connection, it is probably significant that current Soviet-Communist propaganda campaign regarding alleged invasion Soviet zone by organized bandits and refugee workers from western zones (reference my A–238 March 25 and A–247, March 29 and Moscow’s telegram 75, March 30⁴) suggests Soviets may be forced, in order safeguard economic order northeastern Germany, to ensure “proper regulation and control” of railways and highways connecting Berlin and western Germany, “which pass through Soviet zone.” At same time, Soviets have in recent quadripartite discussions raised whole question of present air corridors into Berlin. In any case, our Berlin position is delicate and difficult. Our withdrawal, either voluntary or involuntary, would have severe psychological repercussions which would, at this critical stage in European situation, extend far beyond boundaries of Berlin and even Germany. Soviets realize this full well.

(3) A third reason for Soviet threat to break up Control Council may be Soviet desire, for propaganda reasons inside Germany and in order endeavor recapture initiative from western powers, to proceed with establishment of German government located Berlin and based on Peoples Congress movement and its “German Peoples Council.”⁵ They would thus give impression that these, as contrasted western powers, are promoting German self-government and eventual independence. Now that Communist regimes have been so firmly established in satellite states east of Germany, Soviet-Communist propaganda position there need no longer fear drastic Soviet step in Germany.

Sent Department as 746; repeated Moscow as 91; London as 94; and Paris as 120.

Murphy

1. Telegram 678, March 23, from Berlin, not printed, reported on this problem in summary as follows:

   “Several important Quadripartite meetings, including Deputy Commandants [of Berlin] still scheduled 24 March. It would seem Soviets desire continue quadripartite work in restricted fields, eliminating certain quadripartite bodies. In this connection Generals Clay, Robertson and Noiret agreed this afternoon to instruct their respective elements Allied Secretariat to inform Soviets that British, French and US elements would not send delegations to quadripartite directorate and committee meetings until Control Council shall have met again. Only Kommandatura excepted this ruling.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/3–2348)

   Telegram 738 under reference here, not printed, reported that the Soviet chairman for March of the Control Council had not called the Council meeting that normally would have been held on March 30. It was further reported that the Soviet-controlled press in Berlin was placing the blame for the suspension of the Control Council upon the three western powers. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/3–3148)

2. For the text, pee United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST), vol. 5, (pt. 2), pp. 2063–2065. For documentation regarding the preparation in the European Advisory Commission during 1044 of the agreements on zones of occupation and control machinery for Germany, see Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. i, pp. 100 ff.
3. Not printed.
4. Neither printed.
5. Regarding the Peoples Congress movement, see telegrams 347, February 12 and 573, March 12, from Berlin, pp. 875 and 882.