740.00119 EW/11–645
Minutes of Meeting of the Secretaries of State, War, and the Navy, Held at Washington, November 6, 1945, 10:30 a.m.
| Present: | The Secretary of State |
| The Secretary of War, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of War Mr. McCloy and Colonel McCarthy44 | |
| The Secretary of the Navy, accompanied by Lieut. Col. Correa45 | |
| Mr. Matthews |
. . . . . . .
Transfer of Responsibility for Administration of Germany from Military to Civilian Authority
Mr. Patterson referred to Mr. Byrnes’ letter of November 346 on this subject in reply to his of November 2 and said that he understood that what Mr. Byrnes wished was an orderly transfer. Mr. McCloy inquired as to who would pay the salaries after June 1 of those recruited. It was the general opinion that this would involve a transfer of appropriations from the War Department to the State Department or whatever agency might be given the responsibility. Mr. McCloy said that the Army is already building up its civilian element in military government of Germany as rapidly as possible. Reference was made to General Eisenhower’s letter47 favoring the changeover to civilian responsibility. Mr. McCloy felt it had been unwise to announce our policy of change just at this time since it merely strengthened the feeling that we are abdicating our influence and interest in Europe. Mr. Byrnes said that we might have to do something about the present rapid rate of demobilization.
. . . . . . .