DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON
OCTOBER 1, 1944
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
The Cabinet Committee has 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 treatment to be
accorded 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 negotiatins with the English and the Russians
The instrument of unconditional surrender of Germany
has been recommended by the European Advisory Commission
and has been formally 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 no 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., the 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