Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

800.515/10–2145: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, October 21, 1945—3 p.m.
[Received October 21—2:45 p.m.]

3616. Replying to note sent in accordance with Department’s 1924 August 28⁶⁷ Vyshinski has written under date October 19 to effect:

1. Soviet Government has instructed State Bank to accept from appropriate Allied authorities quantities in amount of six and five hundred million AM schillings.

2. Commissariat Foreign Affairs has taken note of statement that “British and American treasuries will make known subsequently cost of printing and shipping of AM schillings transferred to Soviet Union” (Embassy’s note advised Vyshinski that “Soviet Government would be charged by British and American treasuries for cost of printing and shipping” of these schillings).

3. (Paraphrase) “With respect to conversion of reichsmarks into AM schillings, Soviet Government, as has already been stated by Koniev at meeting of Allied Council on October 8, considered expedient [inexpedient]⁶⁸ such [a] measure since the additional emission of AM schillings could only have negative influence on Austrian national economy. Fact is taken into consideration, furthermore, that Austrian Government is preparing to introduce an Austrian national schilling, which measure should [in] effect strength[en] Austrian political and financial situation.”

Repeated to AusPolAd Vienna as 19.

Harriman

67. Not printed. This telegram instructed the Ambassador to inform Mr. Vyshinsky that the United States and British Governments were preparing to deliver additional Allied Military schillings printed in those countries to Soviet authorities as they became available in Austria. (800.515/8–2845)
68. Bracketed corrections in this paragraph based on copy in Moscow Embassy Files.