501.BC/11–1848: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Military Governor for Germany (Clay), at Berlin
urgent
Delga 719. Bramuglia and six neutral members of the SC have stepped up their activities as indicated in Delga 782 (repeated to Berlin as Paris 7171). The neutrals have presented a questionnaire to the Western powers the purpose of which is to clarify the issues so that the six could order financial experts of the secretariat to proceed with a study of the currency regulations for Berlin. Bramuglia has also drafted a revision of the SC resolution,2 which we have received on a confidential basis, the text of which follows:
“2. (A)
(B)
(C) Sections (A) and (B) will be definitely fulfilled by both parties by the 20th of December.
3. The maximum term in which the measures provided for in Sections (A) and (B) must be implemented by the governments, are the following:
- (A)
- The removal of the restrictions imposed upon transport, communications and trade by roads or canals, must be implemented within 48 hours of the date of the notification.
- (B)
- The removal of the restrictions imposed upon transport, communications and trade by railroad must be carried out gradually, but in such a way that within the first blank days blank trains are in operation, the service to be totally normalized by the 20th of December.
- (C)
- The unification and introduction of the currency, under quadripartite control, must be carried out in gradual stages, so as to be totally fulfilled by the 20th of December.
4. The control of the implementation of these measures shall be entrusted to a committee appointed by the Security Council, that will interpose its good offices to overcome any difficulties which may arise in the way of its whole and harmonious realization.”
It is to be understood that this draft has not been refined as to wording, but is a first attempt to set forth a general idea whereby restrictions imposed on transport, communications and trade would be removed in stages during the time the military governors are discussing measures for the unification and introduction of currency into Berlin under quadripartite control, complete removal of restrictions to be coincident with the introduction of the Soviet mark as the sole currency for Berlin. It is not clear whether discussions of military governors would or would not be on the basis of an agreement previously reached by four powers to program developed by experts groups.
[Page 1255]We would appreciate your general views on this type of approach together with such refinement of language as you feel would be necessary to provide a workable solution along these lines. We have given no assurance to any of the neutral members or Bramuglia that a formula of this type would be acceptable.
With regard to Paragraph (4) of the above text, it is Canadian view that the committee to be appointed by the SC would be a committee of high level financial men chosen by the Council on the basis of their personal competence. This group would supervise and “vet” the financial studies made by the secretariat experts before submission of the studies to the parties. However, we are not certain that Bramuglia has thought through procedure thoroughly.
Please bear in mind that foregoing does not represent fixed program. Neither Bramuglia nor the six as a group has organized its thinking and many variations are likely to be considered.
Sent Berlin 719 for Clay and Murphy from Jessup, repeated to Department [for Lovett] as Delga 814, London for Douglas as 1287. Department repeat to Moscow for Smith as 602.