740.00119 EAC/2–245: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

1155. In accordance with Department’s 712, January 29, midnight, I had Mosely inform the acting Soviet representative49 on evening of January 30 of the United States acceptance in principle of the five French proposals regarding French participation in the surrender, [Page 180] occupation and control of Germany (my 1058, January 30, 10 p.m.50). Sobolev expressed much appreciation of our advance notice, which, he felt, would hasten the formulation of an early decision by his Government, and stated that he was wiring that same evening for instructions.

In informing the European Advisory Commission of our Government’s decision in principle, I shall again stress, as I have done informally on several occasions, our hope that French participation will not result in disturbing unduly the basic agreements and decisions already reached by the three Governments. Department will have noted that the proposed French amendments to the German surrender instrument conform to this view of our Government. Accordingly, unless otherwise informed by the Department, I assume that I am authorized to accept the proposed French amendments to the instrument of unconditional surrender (my 27, January 6, 7 p.m.; full text by my despatch 20275 of January 951).

Winant
  1. Arkady Aleksandrovich Sobolev
  2. Not printed; it reported that Department’s telegram 712, January 29, had been received and that Ambassador Winant would concert at once with the Soviet Representative giving him advance notice to enable him to act jointly with Winant in the EAC (740.00119 EAC/1–3045)
  3. Despatch 20275 not printed