PARAPHRASE OF TELEGRAM RECEIVED
 
FROM: AM. EMBASSY, LONDON
 
TO: SECRETARY OF STATE
 
DATED: OCTOBER 17, 1944, 7:48 P.M.
 
NUMBER: 8842
 
 
     Ambassador Murphy states that during a recent staff meeting the Chief of the Psychological 
Warfare Division of SHAEF recommended the issuance of a SHAEF directive which would redefine the 
objectives of Allied Occupation of Germany with special reference to the presurrender period.  
He suggested a priority list as follows: (1) to maintain output of key industries and essential 
services; (2) to obtain from the purged German administration at least that degree of collaboration 
which will prevent administrative sabotage; (3) to induce in German civilians in occupied 
territories non-resistance and obedience to our orders thus reducing the number of garrison troops
necessary; (4) by the example of life under military government to counter the effect of Nazi 
propaganda in the German Army and to weaken its spirit of resistance and (5) to obtain from the 
civilian population at least that degree of acceptance of our rule which will make them unwilling 
to harbor Nazi guerillas and saboteurs.  Murphy states that no decisions have yet been taken on 
these points but that a committee has been established to consider these questions and to 
formulate local directives.
 
     Murphy adds that SHAEF points out that military operations require the continued operation 
of railways, public services and the coal mines in addition to other services.  German personnel 
will be