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

740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–245: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

Hoechst, July 24, 1945—6 p.m.
[Received 8:30 p.m.]

212. This office is not a “separate establishment” in Germany as stated in the Dept’s No. 138 of July 19, 6 p.m.⁶⁶ In effect there will be two offices, that of “United States Political Adviser, US Group Control Council (Germany)” at Berlin “United States Political Adviser, US Forces European Theater (USFET)” at Frankfurt. These offices come under, respectively, the American element of the Control Council and the American Theater Command. When consular offices are opened in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Bremen, they will be independent offices as far as the Dept is concerned but by Military Government in Germany they will be considered as under the supervision of the Office of the United States Political Adviser.

The need of opening consular offices in other zones is as great as in the American area and perhaps greater in view of political reporting. As to the feasibility of opening offices in the other zones, it is believed that there will be little difficulty, if any, with the British and French, but based on the history of our efforts to open Consulates in Russia, we can expect difficulty in the latter’s zone.

With regard to the use of consular titles, especially in connection with citizenship and notarial services, it is believed that the title will be necessary in view of the pertinent US and state statutes. In this connection see my cable No. 205 of July 23, 1 a.m., 1945,⁶⁷ concerning the opening of four Consulates in Germany. What “venue” should be used in notarizing documents?

While some time in August the Office of the Political Adviser, US Group Control Council will move in entirety to Berlin, at the present time the bulk of the staff is still at Hoechst (Frankfurt) with only a small staff at Berlin.⁶⁸ Consideration will also be given to establishing a Consulate in the Berlin US zone to care for consular services.

Murphy

66. Not printed; the portion of the telegram relevant here reads: “As your office is now a separate establishment in Germany and in view of contemplated opening of consular offices in the American zone, Department would appreciate receiving your recommendations regarding (1) an appropriate name for your office (2) feasibility of opening and need for offices in other zones and (3) use of consular titles and performance of consular duties by officers stationed in Germany.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–1945)
67. Not found in Department files.
68. In telegram 279, August 8, from Frankfurt, Mr. Murphy reported that effective August 9 the Office of Political Adviser, U.S. Group, Control Council (Germany) would be moved to Berlin where the Headquarters of U.S. Group CC. was opening. Mr. Murphy added: “This move entails the greater part of my staff but I shall, of course, contrive to maintain a portion of staff at theater headquarters in Frankfurt in my capacity as Political Adviser to Commanding General USFET. As the Dept. is aware, Military Govt in the American zone is under command of USFET at Frankfurt. This, of course, requires the attention of our office which operates in daily consultation with G–5 [Civil Affairs Division] USFET.” (740.00119 Control (Germany)/8–845)