740.00119 Control (Germany)/9–2245
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, for the Department’s information, a copy of a report93 which Dr. James K. Pollock, Chief of the Governmental Structure Branch, Civil Administration Division, U. S. Group Control Council, made on his inspection trip through the American Zone during the latter half of August, and a Memorandum93 of the Civil Administration Division, dated 19 September, reporting the action taken thus far on the various recommendations contained in [Page 966] the report. The latter Memorandum is accompanied by two staff studies94 relating to individual topics taken up in it.
Dr. Pollock’s inspection, made after four months of occupation and at a time when the victory in the Pacific had suddenly accelerated the already massive troop movements and forced drastic changes of military personnel and policy, threw a number of problems and shortcomings of Military Government into sharp relief. The main substance of the report lies possibly in its broad conclusion stated in the initial sentence and elaborated in detail later on, that Military Government was less advanced than had been expected. Many—perhaps most—of the difficulties lay in the internal organization and functioning of Military Government itself and did not relate to matters of policy. Of special interest, however, are the observations concerning the participation of Germans in government. In paragraph A.1. c. it is stated in some detail that German administrative officials had been given too little opportunity and responsibility for administration; “too much work is still being done by Americans”. On the other hand, it was noted in paragraph A.1. e. that the almost universal judgment of both Military Government and German officials in the matter of elections was to put them off until late spring.
The second paper, listing the corrective measures taken, is largely self-explanatory. The following notes, however, supplement at some points the information given:
- 1.
- Use of Advisory Committees. This Mission has concurred in provisions for the creation and use of Advisory Committees, to be incorporated in a Letter of Instruction designed to explain and clarify existing directives bearing on political activity. It is the belief of Civil Administration Division that the use of such committees to advise German administrative officials—the Bürgermeister, Landräte, and Stadträte—would be a helpful preliminary lesson in the functioning of democratic local government which could take place prior to the elections.
- 2.
- Württemberg-Baden Committee. The Committee appointed to study the problems of Land Württemberg-Baden, reported in my secret telegram No. 558 [559], of September 18, 10 a.m. [p.m.], has begun its work. Mr. John J. Muccio represents this Mission on the Committee. The staff study proposing the creation of the Committee, in which we concurred, is attached.95
- 3.
- Landkreis Lindau. The problem of Landkreis Lindau is a minor one compared to some of the others dealt with. It consists in the fact that this Landkreis, until recently an integral part of the Bavarian Regierungsbezirk Schwaben, has been included in the French Zone. Many administrative difficulties have arisen for the people of the Landkreis because all of the administrative connections have hitherto been with Bavaria and Regierungsbezirk Schwaben. Some local Military Government opinion there is thought to favor [Page 967] return of the Kreis to Land Bayern with adequate provisions for French transit to their Zone in Austria. It may be observed that this is very closely connected with the problem of southern Württemberg mentioned in my secret telegram No. 558 [569], September 18, 10 a.m. [p.m.], referred to above.
- 4.
- Unification of Land Hessen and Provinz Hessen-Nassau. A copy of the staff study and recommendation on this subject, in which this Mission concurred, is attached.96
In view of the nature of the assignment of the Department’s personnel to U. S. Group Control Council, I wish to suggest that the enclosures to this despatch be given only limited circulation within the Department and that if its contents are discussed with any outside department or agency, reference to source be avoided.
Respectfully yours,