740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–1349
The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Bevin) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Dean: You will remember that I mentioned to you the other day the importance of the building up of Berlin’s stocks, irrespective of what might be decided at this Conference about the transport problem.
I have given very careful thought to this matter, and I am convinced that it is absolutely essential, in our mutual interest, that between now and the 31st October we should try to build up at least four to five months’ stocks in Berlin. It would prove of great negotiating value to us at the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers if the Russians knew that we were well prepared; and in addition I am convinced that it would remove any temptation to them to interfere with the transport programme.
I have looked into the figures, and I am afraid they are not very conclusive; but as far as I can ascertain we ought to accumulate a net surplus of at least 1,112,966/[metric tons?]
I should be glad if you would give this matter your earnest consideration, and before we leave Paris I would like to have a word with you about it.
Yours sincerely,