November 29, 1944
 
 
                MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT                
 
 
Subject: 
British Views on the Economic Treatment of Germany
 
 
For your convenience I have summarized below a series of telegrams
recieved from the Embassy in London on the British views on the
economic treatment of Germany.
 
 
The reports generally confirm the statement of the British position
which was outlined in the Department's draft of November 10 on the
economic treatment of Germany.  British officials seem strongly opposed
to sweeping measures of de-industrialization and extreme impoverishment
of Germany.  They are continuing to explore selective economic controls
and restrictions, but detailed examination of specific proposals has
served to make to make clear the difficulties and limitations of most
such measures.
 
 
The British emphasize the need for selecting measures which will enjoy
lasting public support and which will be enforceable a generation
hence, after the emotions of wartime have cooled down.
 
 
They advocate conversion of the German economy to peacetime production
and payment of reparation in kind.
 
 
They are eager to begin discussions on restitution of looted property
even if discussion of broader economic questions is not yet
practicable, and they intend to introduce shortly into the European
Advisory Commission a proposal on machinery to handle restitution.
 
 
E. R. Stettinius, Jr. (signed)