740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2145
The Secretary of War (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: You will recall that at our meeting on November 6 I urged that the War Department be informed of the State [Page 909] Department attitude toward the French proposal to internationalize the Ruhr–Rhineland. I also urged that the French Government be pressed to agree in the Allied Control Council to the establishment of German central administrative machinery, as called for by the Berlin Protocol.
The Berlin Protocol requires the Allied Control Council to complete by February 2, 1946 determination of industrial capital equipment unnecessary for the German peace economy and therefore available for reparations.72 It is manifestly impossible for the Office of Military Government to negotiate and agree with the other members of the Control Council upon these matters in the absence of guidance from the United States Government concerning the areas of Germany for which a peacetime economy is to be planned. If the Ruhr and Rhineland are not to constitute an integral portion of the German economy it is essential that the Office of Military Government be so informed immediately in order that decisions concerning reparations removals may be made in the light of that fact.
I understand that you have invited representatives of the French Government to discuss the Ruhr-Rhineland question in Washington. However, I hope that you will find it possible immediately to provide the War Department with the policy as to the geographical limits of Germany which would guide the Office of Military Government in making decisions with regard to reparation removals.
With respect to the refusal of the French to agree with the other members of the Control Council to establish German central administrative machinery, I urge that the Department of State bring to bear upon the French Government all requisite pressures in order to effectuate the mandate of the Berlin Protocol. I am of the opinion that unless such agencies are established promptly, there is grave danger of a breakdown of the provisions of the Berlin Protocol with respect to treatment of Germany as an economic unit. Should the French continue to impede development of central German agencies, particularly in the fields of finance, transport, communications, foreign trade and industry, the very basis of the quadripartite administration in Germany might well be jeopardized.
I was gratified that in our meeting of November 6, 1945 you agreed that some action would have to be taken. I should very much appreciate receiving advice from you concerning the steps which are being taken by the State Department to bring about the desired result.
Sincerely yours,
- Section III, paragraph 5 of the Potsdam Protocol; see Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. ii, p. 1486.↩