MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
 
 
     The cabinet committee had not been able to agree upon a statement of American policy for the 
post-war treatment of Germany.  The memorandum presented by the Secretary of the Treasury is 
decidedly at variance with the views developed in the State Department.  In the meantime, I have 
received your memorandum of September 15, with the statements of views respecting the Ruhr, Saar, 
etc., and the conversion of Germany into an agricultural and pastoral country, which was formulated 
at Quebec.  This memorandum seems to reflect largely the opinions of the Secretary of the Treasury 
in the treratment to be accorded to Germany.  I feel that I should therefore submit to you the 
line of thought that has been developing in the State Department on this matter.  
 
     1.  Status of Negotiations with the British and Russians
The instrument of unconditional surrender of Germany has been recommended by the European Advisory 
Commission and has been formall approved by this government.  It is anticipated that British and 
Russian approval will be forthcoming.  The question of the American and British zones of occupation 
was, according to your memorandum, worked out at Quebec and there will presumably be more difficulty 
over this matter.  In the meantime, the European Advisory Commission is going ahead on plans for 
a tripartite control machinery and military government for Germany during the occupation period.  
All three governments have submitted proposals which are similar in their general outline.  The 
American proposal contemplates a Supreme authority consisting of the three commanding generals of 
the U.S., U.K., and the U.S.S.R., which would coordinate allied control of Germany and supervise 
such centralized governmental functions and economic activities as the