Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Council/1–1647: Telegram

The United States Deputy for Germany at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, January 16, 1947—3 p.m.

315. Delsec 1112 from Murphy. Practically inconclusive all-day meeting of Deputies for Germany⁸ held January 15 on questions of procedure for hearings with Allied States.⁹ Argument centered particularly about memoranda submitted by Australian and South African Governments, both of which made similar proposals regarding procedure for hearings.¹⁰ Chief point common to both proposals was that representatives of countries invited to present views on German and Austrian problems should be present throughout all hearings and should participate with deputies in general discussion. British, French and US deputies expressed readiness to adopt proposal for meetings, in interest of closer association between occupying powers and other allies in formulation of peace settlements. Soviet deputy refused give any consideration to proposal arguing that such procedure was in contradiction to instructions set forth in CFM decisions on work of deputies and that Allies were not authorized to make proposals regarding procedure for hearings. He interpreted CFM instructions to imply separate hearings by deputies of representatives of Allied states, one after another. He refused permit Australian representative to present before deputies his views on procedure for hearings, despite specific Australian request in this regard. He also refused consider permitting representatives of other participant governments to be present even only as observers when representative of one of participant countries is presenting orally views of his government. With imperturbable calm and inimitable tediousness, he repeated same arguments throughout day. Meeting ended without tangible result.

As deputies are in receipt of specific requests from Australian representatives for hearing on their memorandum, I suggested that they be informed that the deputies are unable to comply with requests solely due to objection of Soviet deputy. Latter was unwilling to concur and saw no reason for any reply at this stage.¹¹

CFM Secretariat has now received replies from Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa and Yugoslavia, declaring intention to submit written and oral statements to deputies of their views on settlement of German and Austrian problems.¹² Only statement thus far received is lengthy memorandum from Netherlands Government.¹³

First meeting Austrian deputies takes place morning January 16.¹⁴

Sent Department as 315, repeated Berlin as 21, unnumbered to USFET and USFA. USFET please pass USFA.

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Murphy

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8. The Deputies for Germany were: United States–Robert Murphy, United Kingdom–Sir William Strang, Soviet Union–Fedor Tarasovich Gusev, France–Maurice Couve de Murville. Mr. Murphy was assisted by a delegation which included Donald Heath, David Harris, Jacques Reinstein, Howard Trivers, and Carmel Offie.
9. The discussions reported upon in this telegram constituted the 1st (at 10:30 a.m.) and 2nd (at 3:30 p.m.) Meetings of the Deputies for Germany. Between January 15 and February 25, 1947, the Deputies for Germany held 30 meetings at Lancaster House in London. The Agreed Records of Decisions together with the United States Delegation verbatim minutes of these meetings are included in C.F.M. Files, Lot M–88, Box 2162.
10. The documents under reference here, the Memorandum presented by the Australian Government to the Deputies, January 13, 1947, CFM(D) (47) (G)5, and the Statement on Procedure by the Government of South Africa, January 14, 1947, CFM(D) (47) (G)7, are not printed.

11. At their 3rd Meeting, January 16, 1947, the Deputies for Germany again discussed the question of procedure. In telegram 346, Delsec 1115, January 17, 1947, from London, not printed, Murphy reported on the discussion as follows:

    “When Soviet deputy indicated no change in his position, I expressed regret US delegation on Soviet position, pointing out that Allied countries in question had been closely associated with US in war and that we should endeavor work closely with them now. I also stated that Gousev’s interpretation of wording of CFM instruction to deputies was too literal and indeed contrary to spirit of instructions which aimed rather to encourage these countries in expression and development of their views so that deputies might bring clear and lucid presentation of them to Moscow conference. Strang closed discussion with statement that no decision had been reached and reserving right to raise subject again later.” (740.00119 Council/1–1747)

12. The replies under reference here were those made in response to the letter of the Secretary General of the Council of Foreign Ministers to various Allied governments, p. 1.
13. The reference here is to document CFM(D) (47) (G)9, January 14, 1947, not printed.
14. For the report on the 1st Meeting of the Deputies for Austria, see telegram 359, Delsec 1117, January 17, from London, p. 112.