740.5/9–2350: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy), at Frankfort1
2313. Personal for McCloy from Byroade. Secto 45 Sept 23 to Dept from N.Y.,2 repeated unnumbered to Frankfort, contains text of tripartite agreement on intermediate measures to be taken in Germany. Inasmuch as this agreement covers in certain cases matters already agreed, believe fol background as to how this agreement developed will be helpful.
Just prior departure Marshall for N.Y. he requested JCS give him by informal memo list immediate steps that might be taken in Germany. JCS points were delivered Marshall just prior beginning of 8th session on Sept. 22. Although he showed us the JCS memo at conference table, we were not aware he planned seek agreement Defense Mins on various points until agreement was reported to us subsequent to the private mtg of three Defense Mins.3 Marshall reported he had read the various points in JCS memo to other two Mins and that they had reached complete agreement.
Marshall explained to us privately he had made this move as a matter of tactics and he considered receiving Moch’s agreement to these immed steps somewhat committed Fr on question of ultimate Ger participation in integrated force. He held this view as they had agreed [Page 347] to the various points in light of opening paragraph of memo which he had read to them. This paragraph was approximately as follows:
“We believe that the fol minimum measures shld be taken immed in Ger as steps towards the eventual participation of Ger units in an integrated force for the defense of Europe.”
In a subsequent tripartite drafting session, we were informed by French that while Moch had agreed to JCS points in context of opening paragraph quoted above, this did not mean that Fr had accepted principle of Ger participation in such a force. It developed that misunderstanding was over use of word “eventual” which in Fr language indicates the connotation of “hypothetical”. In view of this misunderstanding, the six Mins fol morning agreed change language to “as steps towards a fuller participation of Germany in the build-up of the defense of Europe” as contained in text which you already have.
We realize you may have some difficulty in dove-tailing implementation of these points into steps you have already taken or were planning take as result tripartite mtg on Germany but as practical matter consider it best that you attempt to work out these difficulties on ground rather than seek a more detailed mtg of minds on a governmental level at this time. In event you encounter tripartite or other difficulties, we will be glad seek greater clarification of these points from JCS. [Byroade.]