740.00119 Council/1–1547: Telegram

The United States Deputies for Germany and Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Murphy) and (Clark) to the Secretary of State

secret

275. Delsec 1110.4 From Murphy and Clark. Meeting CFM deputies for Germany and Austria convened at Lancaster House 3 p.m., January [Page 4] 14.5 Foreign Minister Bevin opened meeting with brief remarks, pointing out importance of institution of deputies to which Foreign Ministers had been able in past to refer matters of disagreement for preparation of solutions later adopted. He expressed hope for successful efforts of deputies to clarify issues on Germany and Austria. Re Austrian problem he expressed opinion that breakup of Austro-Hungarian state after first world war had left many problems unresolved since 1918. One of the foundations of European peace was, in his opinion, a Danubian basin which was functioning right economically and politically free. He hoped that between now and Moscow conference a treaty with Austria might be evolved which will not hamper its economic development nor economic relations with other countries.

Re Germany he emphasized that we must above all avoid resurgence in any way of German military power. He feared that the several nations might again begin to court her and expressed great concern not to revive a Germany able to undertake aggressive war. He hoped the conference would not become involved in arguments on procedure and saw present meeting as beginning of long way to be continued in Moscow with presumably subsequent reference of further matters to deputies. Through consultation with lesser Allies, deputies could analyze their advice and by preparatory work enable CFM in Moscow to arrive more directly at settlement which can meet general problems of war-devastated world.

After Bevin withdrew, meeting under chairmanship of Strang exchanged views on machinery and procedure for conference of interest to both sets of deputies. Considerable discussion took place on question of priority of German or Austrian problems. British and US delegations emphasized that study of German and Austrian problems should proceed concurrently with no particular priority to either. Russian delegation proposed discussions begin on Germany and proceed to Austrian question only after definition and order of German work established. Gousev argued his suggestion to begin with German problem was in conformity with sequence of topics in CFM decision of December 12. General Clark supported by Lord Hood refused defer indefinitely discussion of Austrian question. It was finally decided that deputies for Germany would meet first Wednesday6 morning and continue on in afternoon meeting if initial question of organization of German work not settled in morning. Firm commitment, however, was made that if deputies were not free to discuss Austrian question Wednesday afternoon, they would meet on this subject morning of [Page 5] January 16. General Clark accepted this solution on understanding that thereafter deputies would carry on work concurrently, though not perhaps meeting each day on both subjects.

Ambassador Murphy circulated for consideration in tomorrow’s meeting two papers, (1) on suggested structural organization and terms of reference for committees of Council of Deputies for Germany and, (2) on procedure for reception of views of allied states.7

Re relations to press it was agreed that in accordance with previous practice of CFM deputies, (1) no press correspondents would be admitted to meetings; (2) Council of Deputies would not normally issue communiques, though such were not excluded; (3) each delegation may individually provide information to the press as regarded necessary by that delegation.

It may be of interest to note that size of Russian delegation handling both German and Austrian affairs is small and that economic affairs for both are apparently being handled by a very junior Russian official.

Pass to War to USFET and USFA for information.

  1. Communications between the Deputies for Germany and Austria and the Department of State were conducted through the facilities of the American Embassy in London. Telegrams to and from the Deputies were assigned regular London Embassy telegram numbers as well as numbers in the special series (Delsec and Secdel) reserved for messages dealing with the work of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
  2. The meeting reported upon in this telegram was the only joint meeting of the Deputies for Germany and the Deputies for Austria. Subsequent meetings of the two groups of deputies were held separately.
  3. January 15, 1947.
  4. The proposals under reference here were circulated by the United States Delegation as document CFM(D) (47) (G)8, January 14, 1947, not printed.