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MICROFILM

TRADE MASE

179

176
O

3/23/45

3/23/45

Mr. Fussell

Mr. Luxford

Secretary Morgenthau

Secretary Morgenthau

I read with great surprise in today's New York

I was surprised to see in this morning's paper

come

that some Treasury spokesman had given out quite a story

Times
that the
Federal Reserve
let they
has outus
about
with that
an
Advisory
Committee.
Did
know

the as12:00
soon
aswhen
a
deadline
you are

on law enforcement, and I just wondered who it was, and
I would like to know all the circumstances connected

in advance? Please give me a memo on it and I want

with it, please. I want to know whether it had your
approval or whether somebody shot his mouth off. some

memo just of today. possible If which not there, means

this comes to your office please see that some one
else answers it this morning.
u

1/13/45.
0

0

0

180
March 23, 1945
a

Luncheon Meeting in
Secretary's Dining Room
12:45, March 23, 1945

Present: Secretary Morgonthau
Mr. Suarez, Finance Minister of Mexico
Mr. Monteros

First Secretary of the Mexican Eubosay
Mr. White

The Maxicon Anbassador had raised the question the day before of .

renewal of the stabilisation loan which was expiring on
June 30, 1945. Mr. Suarez had also inquired about what Secretary
Morgenthan's attitude would be with respect to the ownership of the Pan
American Trust Company of New York by the Bank of Mexico. Secretary

Morgenthau had replied: live se a day to think it over and this he would
have a reply at lunch the following day, since he was not going to be in
tom next week and the Minister was leaving in a day or two.

$

At luncheon the Secretary agreed to renew the stabilization arrangement. However, he thought it would be preferable to renew it for only one
year in view of the Brotton Woods legislation.
with respect to the ownership of the Pan American Trust Company by

the Bank of lexico the Secretary showed Mr. Suarez and the others a copy
of . memorandum which had been prepared for him by Mr. Coe indicating the

undestrability of ownership by a foreign central bank of . bank in the

United States. The Secretary asked Mr. Swares whether it was very important

to them. Mr. Suares said that it was not and the Secretary replied that
in his judgement it night be preferable in that event not to continue

ownership of the bank by the Bank of Mexico. However, be suggested that
the Mexican Enbascy discuss the matter with Mr. D. Bell who handles matters

relating to domestic banks. It was so arranged.

Mr. Suarez also mentioned that there was a possibility of holding 4
conference probably in Medico City to carry out the provisions of the
Bretton Woods Agreements, calling for further examination of the silver
question. However, he indicated that plann were very tostative AS yet.

N

TRADE MARK

MICR

NOT TO BE RE-TRANSMITTER
COPY NO.

4 177

SECRET

OPTEL No. 93

Information received up to 10 a.m., 22nd March, 1945.
NAVAL

NORTHERN WATERS. Convoy of 24 ships has arrived Russian

1.

ports. A sloop (5 officers and 55 ratings survivors) and one ship
in the convoy was sunk, while another ship was torpedoed in approaches
Murmansk. Several attacks on U-boats were carried out by escorts.
HOME WATERS. 21st/22nd (night). E-boats active off Lowestoft where constal convoy unsuccessfully attacked.

2.

ENEMY ATTACKS ON SHIPPING. In convoy off Murmansk a 7210

3.

ton U.S. ship sunk and a 7176 ton U.S. ship torpedoed by U-beat.
21st. A 7176 ton U.S. ship in up channel convey torpedoed by Uboat and beached off Plymouth and a 7194 ton U.S. ship in down
channel convoy sunk by U-boat S.W. of the Lizard.
MILITARY

WESTERN FRONT. Southern Sector: Now confirmed that U.S.
arrour has reached Noustadt, Norms and Mains. 7th and 3rd U.S. Armies
made contact Homburg area and eliminated enemy pocket west of town.
Mopping up of enemy rennants surrounded in pocket south of Moselle
"almost complete.
Central Sector: Remagen bridgehead now stretches from 2
miles north Andenach to River Sieg (opposite Bonn) which has been
reached on wide front.
4.

EASTERN FRONT. Russian forces now reported within 10 miles

N.W. West and S.W. of Danzig.
A.R

WESTERN FRONT. 20th. Additional results received from
SHAEF (Air) state further 1516 aircraft (8 missing) operated whole
front destroying or damaging 2036 road and rail vehicles, and 94
in:omotives while inflicting casualties on enemy aircraft on ground
50,9,113.
20th/21st (night). 659 aircraft despatched (13 missing)
crapping 1650 tons oil plants Heide and Bohlen with good results
while minor targets included Berlin, sea mining and other missions.

21st, 466 Bomber Command escorted bombers (5 missing)
dropped 1384 tons in good weather on railway contros and bridges
Rheine, Munster and Bremen. while 637 tons also dropped on oil refinery at latter town. 1403 escorted U.S. heavy bombers (9 bombers
and 21 fighters outstanding) dropped 2904 tens on 11 airfields N.W.
Germany, AFV works at Plauen and other targets with good results,
while inflicting enemy casualties 12,1,1 in combat and 46.0.40 on
ground. SHAEF (Air) boubers 642 (8 missing) dropped 1026 tons on
communications Northern and Central Sectors while 2140 fighters (11
sissing) operated same sectors destroying or damaging 163 AFV's,
68 locomotives, 3078 road and rail vehicles and inflicting enemy
10.1.5. 20 escerted Mosquitoes (4 Mesquitoes and 2
Asstangs missing) successfully attacked Gestape Headquarters Copennagon.

MEDITERRANEAN. 19th/20th (night). 73 heavy bombers (1
classing) dropped 224 tons railway centre Bruck (Austria)
20th. 780 heavy bombers (4 missing) dropped 1177 tons on

no railway centres Austria, 243 tons on two oil refineries and 142

ins on other targets while 213 medium bembers (3 missing) and
fighter bombers and fighters 1011 (8 missing) attacked communications

nd other targets North Italy with good results.
STAM. 19th, 87 Liberators (2 missing) dropped 222 tons

6.

on railway yards and bridges area Jumbhorn (south Sian).
HOME SECURITY (Up to 7 a.m. 22nd)
9.

destroyed.
10.

(night).

FLYING BOMBS. 21st/22nd. (night) Three plotted and all
22nd. So far one plotted and shot down.
ROCKETS. 21st. Three incidents reported. 21st/22nd
11 incidents reported.

182

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE Mar 23, 1945

TO

Secretary Morgenthau

FROM Mr. Coe

Ownership of Pan American Trust (New York) by Bank of
Mexico

The Bank of Mexico, without consulting the New York Federal,
has purchased controlling stock ownership of the Pan-American
Trust Company, a deposit bank operating in New York City The
Bank of Mexico may offer some of the stock for sale to other
Latin American central banks

This ownership is almost without precedent. It might
lead to difficult problems in the relations of the Pan-American
Trust and the Bank of Mexico with the state and federal banking
authorities. For example the Bank of Mexico might be regarded
as a holding company affiliate and become subject to examination
and reporting Furthermore, the supervising authorities are
charged with the duty of examining the business of the local
bank and passing upon the use and disposition of its resources

Treasury Department

Division of Monstary Research 181
Date March 24, 194510
To:

and the competence of its management.

It would not be pleasant for the Federal or the New York
of the Bank of Mexico with respect to the operation and management of the Pan-American Trust Company. For this reason, the
Federal Reserve Board has requested the State Department to
make representations to the Mexican Government to have the
transaction undone. The State Department has instructed
Ambassador Messersmith to do this after a letter is delivered
to the Bank of Mexico from the New York Federal suggesting a
discussion of the question.
In our opinion. it would be preferable to terminate the
present arrangement or to convert the Pan-American Trust
Company into an agency of the Bank of Mexico not accepting
local deposits.

lr. D. W. Dell

authorities to have to take a critical attitude on the policies

Secretary korgenthau 1st Jr. Duares
read this menoranics and asked Lr. Suarez

other this satter was very important.
Deares realied that it was not and the
Secretary said in that event be HIS of
the opinion 11 would be preferable to
return the Pan Aperican Trust to private

hands and suggested that the Mexican
Enbaasy get in touch with you before

they take a final decision.
H.D.T.

housing mr. Bell
MR. WHITE

Branch 2058 Room 214-1/2

Q

Sec. refer this D. Bill

March 23, 1945
3:50 P.M.

HMJr:

184
183

Hello.

Operator:

Mr. Grow.

HMJ

Hello.

o

HMJr:

Well, it certainly didn't come from here.

0:

No.

HMJr:

You clear it with McCloy, will your
I'll clear it with McCloy in any case.
And when its through ----- could I have a

0:

Joseph
Grewt

Mello, Xr. Secretary.

HMJr:

Speaking.

HMJr:

photostat of the whole business?

That proposed insertion did not come from the

0:

State Department.

HMJr:

oh.

Now : dan't know who it came from unless it was
Colonel Boattiger into eat In an our conference

G:

HMJr:

I don't think it fits, do you?

HMJrt

I'v just showed it to my Accistants have and they

0:

I'll send it to you.

G:

0
HMJ:

with all the rest of it.

0:

Well. I --- you ORD see your OVE Judgment The

HMJr:

President anid out it in and it 1. of right with

0

HNJr:
0:

All right.
I coan - the thing --We'll talk it over and ### have ve feel about it,
if that's agreeable to you - either way.

106Jr:

It's agreeable either MAY.

0:

All right, good. that's fine, thank you.

HMJr:

Hello?

G:

Just wanted you to know that it didn't come from us.

All right. I think it has been a pretty succeesful

I'm wondering whether I ought to sign this paper
for the State Department, or whether it is not
necessary to have signature on it.
Well, I think it would be nice.

It would be appropriate wouldn't it?
I think it would, too.

All right, I'll put my name on it too, then.

HMJr:

I think 0.0 Acting Secretary, : think you should
sign it.

G:

HMJr:
0:

0

oh, very, very.

0:

me.

0:

Right.

day on the whole, don't you?

HNJr:

It doesn't do any harm, but it is so out of plane

HWJrt

Yes,

G:

any O.K.
G:

A photostat of the whole thing?

HMJ:

HMJ:

yeaterGay. He night have ment it in. I don't
know who =Ice would have, but I don't know who
did it.
Well, this naturally con-

G:

0:

All right, good, I will do it. Thank you.
All right.
Goodbye.

MICROFILM

TRADE

March 21. 1945
..
HMJr:

Hello.

Operatort

McCloy.

HMJr:

Hello.

Mr. John

186

185

3:56 P.M.

Mc:

Yes.

HMJr:

And he setd it did not come from State.

Mc:

Yes.

106Jr:

It 410 not come from Treasury.
Must have been F.E.A.

McCloy:

Hello.

Mo:

FRJr:

Well, the President signed it.

HMJr:

(Laughs)

Mc:

Ch, good.

Mc:

I don't know but what it VISE then.

HMJr:

No, how would they know. Somebody had n copy

HMJr:

He changed one word which I can't remember - hich

VBB unimportant. I 010 got into a little

argument with the Under Scoretary, He soid
it VBS his understanding that all four area

of this thing.

that
Mc:

commanders BRO to the unanimous.

HOJF:

Yes.

HMJr:

I said if that were to nobody had ever mentioned
it to SP.

Mc:

Yes.

HWJ:

The Precident said he had never heart it.

Mo:

He did.

Mc:

That wee - I don't know that 1: *** over

HMJr:

"The following paragraph should be inserted to
precede the paragraph consencing 'Controle may

Mc:

written down anywhere, but I got the 14em
VBE the general 1dea, at Yelth --

Ahuh.

be imposed upon Derman economy.
No:

Yeah.

HEJr:

Now that 1. at the top of Page 2.

Mc:

Yes.

Ont your thing there?
that

that

No. the President paid he had never heart any such
thing.

Mo:

Yeah, yeah.

HWJr:

He anic if you waited for them to be unsnimous, they

No:

No, I got -- Bob's got it.

RMJ:

That

Mo:

Bob Patterion's got it. H isn't here.
This is the thing that it easy.

HjJr:
No:

Yeah.

would never agree.

HKJr:

This is the thing with the nex insert.

No:

Yeah.

No:

Yeah,

HMJr:

And then after he had signed the whole thing -

HMJr:

Mc:

Yes,

Met

Grace Tully brought in 2 memorandum - have you
heart about 117

HMJr:
0

Mc:

No.

Well, Grew will be phoning you. Let of read it to you.

"Germany's ruthless warfare and fematical Mazi

resistance.
Yeah.

....have destroyed German economy and have made

MICROSTATI

MICROFILM

-3-

187

MMJr:(cont) suffering and check inevitable.
oh, yes, I know this.
Xo:
RMJr:

"The Certane cannot responsibility for what

Mc:

Yeah, I got -- I know where that came fres.

they hav brought upon themselves.

188

HMJ

My boys don't think it will do any here.

Not

It won't do F hit of harm. I think it will do
good.

HMJr:

Mo:

That's not F.E.A.

HXJr:

Where?

MMJr:

O.K. H signed it, 410 hel
H. signed it.

Mr:

Yeah. A11 right, now. who is E>Ing to tak- care

Mc:

of the photostate?

That VPE not F.Z.A.

Mo:

MMJr:
Mc:

Ch, they wouldn't - statebody had # copy.
No. I'll tell you what -- how that YOU. John
Boettiger called me up about 31.15 hour age haf THE
and he said. "Have you any objection the in-

clusion of such c language this if the
President vents to out it in?" said "Ho, I

I noked Crew.
Mo:

Ahuh. Well, that's best. That's that.

106J

That's that.

No:

wouldn't have BOY objection if the President wanted

to put it in.'

Yesh.

Xo:

He 0109

MMJr:

Yesh, It's wrote in.

Oh.

Mc:

He spots what in't

It's the thought that well, the Mess 1: on you

MMTr:

I think it's sort of pretty good -- pretty good
propagance.

HWJr:
No:

not on UP 10 1: doesn't go well.

HMJr:

Well its 11 right with our boys. I told that The President thought 11 vas O.K. M. Aney
where : cand from.

Mo:

HMJ:
Mc:

MMJr:
Net

Yes there 207 section sada of March 10th? Or
510 15 my anything about 1: at #11?

10Wr:

Do you think 1: strangthens 117
Xc:

of course I ver breathle but if he onlive up

maybe you our my O.E. The President has already
approved it.

Well?

HDJ:

And 10 Grave cells you up, I kind of was noncommittel -

Yooh. That's where it case from.

But it kind of scared of . little bit.
(Laughs) I 'snow the anever . it -- It VET put us to
me AR moisething the President VAL wither in favor
of yould I mind 117 I guess 1: originated in
John Boetticer' brain.

Mo:

THIN
Mc:

This March 10th.
on he dtd.
Yesh.

Vell, that's all right.

MMJr:

11. write that in.

Net

He 010, and who's --- 11 anybody bring that up$

106J

Listen, I'll be plain -- you cen't (laughs).

Mo:

D.K. (Laughs)

Oh.

TOW-=

That's all right.

Mo:

I wouldn't --- I wouldn't - but please.
I get you. I get you.

TRADE MARK

MICROSTAT MICROFILM

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189

I'm not telling --- but you could guess.
It's already written in

HMJrt
Mc:

It's already in. Don't you like 112
I think that's fine.

HMJr:
No:

HMJr:

I think that clears up the last vestige.

Xc:

HMJr:

It's in in his DMD handwriting, and in his 0.000
can and ink

Yeah. C.K. Well, -

Net

HMJr:

3. just wanted to know who the Artika on and
1 DAIC on He's very happy.
It's IT very FOOD job. Good program great thing,
and the Treasury should be eyes credit for it.

Mo:

HMJr:

Well, we got Good cooperation.
O.K.

No:

HIJ:

C

What?

Mo:

HWJr:
No:

HKJr:

I'm happier time I've been since
March 10th. That VIE quit a netback.

That WELL like -- that vas tix that Argano bulge.
Yeah. Junt exactly. Yell, March 10th.
Ye's got to liquidate them.
...bea been superceded. The President siked 20 how

to spell : and I dict's know, and I thought while
he was thinking about it, as eight not spity it
in.

O

Mo:

(Laughs) O.K.

HKJr:

Well, you wanted that in, cidn't you?

Mo:

Oh, sure. I think 1: is clears? that HRT -- much
clearer.

HKJr:

Well, : 014 it to help you out.

Mc:

O. K. Thank you very such.

HMJr:

Goodbye.

190

March 23, 1945
4:04 P.M.

-2-

191

&

Operator:

Mr. Clayton.

HMJr:

Hello.

Mr. Will
Clayton:

Hello, Mr. Secretary.

HMJr:

Will, it's all in the bag.

O

HMJr: (cont) this just couldn't be pasted on.
Perhaps so.

C:

HWJ

It's on White House stationery.
I sec.

C:

So Joe told me.

0:

HMJr:

I'm very happy.

HMJr:

on, I'm very happy about it. He told as about

C:

C:

a memorandum though that somebody sent over there.

HMJr:

HKJr:

Yeah.
0:

C:

It didn't come from us. I wonder where it case from.

HMJ

No, well, it didn't come from us.

C:

HMJr:

HMJr:

It didn't.
But I'm perfectly -- I had time to read it -- I'm

C:

perfectly happy to have it in.

HMJ:

You are?

C:

HMJr:

And I'm afraid if we leave it out somebody might
say well, the President said to put it in -- and then
it casts a doubt.

HMJr:
C:

HMJr:

HMJr:

I any it may cast a doubt on the whole document.

HMJr:

That's right. Let's not have that happen.
As long as the President --- I wasn't in the room
when he said yes, I came back - but as long as he
said yes, put it in, I would, otherwise there might

C:

HMJr:

That's right. I think you are absolutely right.
Now is it going to be rewritten, or did he just
write that word 'approved* in? Well if it has
this new paragraph, it will have to be rewritten,

DMJ:
C:

won't 117

Well, he signed the last thing. I don't see why

That's right -- Goes at the bottom of Page 1, NO
you can just paste it on there.
This could be stapled on the thing.
Either that way 2 or you could put it as 1A,
and set it in between but I expect the best
way to do 11 is staple it on.
But what I'm fearful 16 that somebody might raise
the question and propen the whole thing All over again.

HMJr:
0

Right.

Well, BOX, you're going to have it photostated.

C:

C:

HMJr:

Because it goes at the botton of Page 1.

that.

be a doubt on the whole document.

C:

Why can't that just be parted on?
of course, that suite as fine.

I agree with you fully -- let's not run any rick of

C:

oh, sure. It's not going to do any harm. We might
as well put it in particularly under the circumstances.

C:

192

I haven't got the document Grew's got it. I asked
him to have it -- I think you had better follow thruFine. I'11 do that right away.
Because see would all like copies If you don't mind
sending three over here -- four, four, fourcopies.

All right I'll attend to it right away.
I'd appreciate it.
All right. Thank you.
I enjoyed working with you, and this 1s one of the
most important meetings that I've ever participated
in.

193

copies to Coe + 194

White
C:

Well, I think you are right, and : enjoyed working
with you. I find that when you and I git together

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

on these tough ones, VI can generally iron them

3/26/45.

WASHINGTON

out.
ENJr:

March 23, 1945

Yep.

Bye. I hose you will have A good rest on your trip.
I think I will now.

SECRET

C:

(Laughs) Good.

My dear Mr. Secretary:

HMJr:

Eye.

C:

Eye.

C:

HMJr:

As I knew you desired to receive as soon as
possible copies of the 'Summary of the United

States Initial Post Defeat Policy Relating to
Germany', I had the "Summary" and the two covering memoranda of March 23, 1945 for the President

photostated immediately and an enclosing four
copies of each of these documents.
Sincerely yours,

Signature
Acting Secretary

Enclosures:

Four photostatic
copies.

The Henorable

Henry Morgenthau, Jr.,

Secretary of the Treasury.
PROVICTORY

PRECISION

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195

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BEGREE

Secret

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON

0

March 23, 1945

March 23, 1945,
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:

KEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT

The attached paper

I an attaching for your approval a semorandum dealing with American policy for the

treatment of Germany. It is my belief, and
that of the others who attended yesterday's
meeting with you, that it represents your views
as brought out in our conversation. This memorandum was prepared jointly and has the approval
of the State, Treasury and Var Departments.

Creath
Enclosure

6.

entitled 'Summary of United States

Initial Post Defeat Policy Relating
to Germany", dated March 22, 1945, 18
approved and supercedes a memorandum

entitled Draft Directive for Treatment
of Germany dated March 10, 1945,

approval of which is hereby withdrawn.

IM

PRECISION

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MICROSTAT

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ROLL NO

198

197

23 March 1945

-2-

Secret

0

Geranny's ruthless warfare and fanatical Nasi resistance

The following 12 . suncery of t.s. solley releting_to

have destroyed Geruan economy and made chaoe and suffering inevis-

Germany In the initial post-defest period. As suc : will to

able. The Gertiana canno: escape responsibility for what they have

introduced into the European Advisery Commission, and to

brought upon themselves.

used 83 the basis for directives to be Issued to the v.s.

Controls any be imposed upon the Geroan economy only as may

CommandIn, General in jersary.

be necessary (a) to carry out programs of industrial disarmanent

and desilitarization, reparations, and of relief for liberated areas
The authority of the Control Council to formulate policy

as prescribed by appropriate higher authority and (b) to assure the

with respect :- satters effecting interest as 00 shall in

production and uminGenance of goods and services required to meet

paramount, SLO : reed policiva shall be carried out in each

the needs of the occurying forces and displaced persons in Geruany,

one cesential to prevent starvation or such disease or civil unreat

2020 by the case communities. In the absence of such street
$

RD MONIC enlanger the occurying forces. No action shall be taken,

policies, and in matters exclusively affecting his - zone,
the zone commander will exercise his authority in accordance with
directives received from his own government.

The administration of affairs in should to directed

1

in execution of the reparations program or otherwise, which would
tend to support cosic living standards in Germany on a higher level
that existing in any one of the neighboring United Nations.

be desentralized, except that to the minimum extent required for

All vecnosite and financial international transactions, including
2 10104 and importe, shall be controlled with the aim of preventing
Geranny free developing a war potential and of achieving the other
objectives named herein. The first charge on all approved exports

carrying out too purposes set forth herein, the Control Council

for Penerations or otherwise small be & sun necessary to pay for

toward the decentralicatio of the political structure and the
development of local resionability. The German economy shall also

say peralt OF establish central control of (a) essential
national public services such un railrouds, communications and

power; (b) finance LLO foreign affairs, and (c) production and

distribution of essential condition. There shall be equitable
distribution of such consodities between the several zones.

no extension of credit to Germany or Germans by any for
⑆ person or Government shall be permitted, except that the
Control Council any in special emergencies grant such persiention.

Encurrent reportions should not, by their form or amount, require
the revabilitation or development of German heavy industry and

TRADE MARK

MICROSTAT

Secret

199

should not foster the dependence of other countries upon the
German economy.

In the imposition and maintenance of economic controls,

German authorities will to the fullent extent practicable be
ordered to proclain and assume administration of such controls.
Thus it should be brought house to the German people that this

responsibility for the administration of such controls and for
any breakdowns in those controls, will rest with themselves and
their own authorities.

The fast party and its affiliated and supervised organizations
and all Mazi public institutions shall be dissolved and their

revival prevented. Fast and militariatic activity or propaganda
0

in any form small be prevented.
There shall be established a coordinated system of control
over Jersan education designed completely to eliminate Mast and
militariet doctrines and to make possible the development of
democratic ideas.

azi laws which provide the beats of the itler repine or
which establish discriminations on (rounds of race, cread or

molitien1 opinion, be abolished.
All sembers of the azi party NILC have been more than noticel

Sortici ants in its activities, and all other persons hostile to
Allted nurseres will be re loved fre. public office and from
positions of reavonsibility in private enterwrise.

-4-

Secret

200

War criminals and those who have participated in planning

or carrying out Nazi enter rises involving or resulting in

atrocities of ast crimes, shall be arreston, mount to trial
nd punlabed. Nazl les ers and Influential Nami supporters and any

that : cancerous to the occupation or its a Sectives, shall
be arrested sau Interned.

in suitable program for the restitution of property looted
by Germana small be carried out prouptly.
The German upsed forces, including the General Staff, and

all para-millitary organizations, shall be rouptly cenabilized
and disbanded in such to casher as permanently to prevent their

revival or rear anization.
The German EAT potential shall be destroyed. An part of

the pro ran to attain this objective, all implements of war
and all specialized facilities for the production of studments
shall be seized or destroyed. The maintenance and production

of all aircraft and implements of sar shall be prevented.

OK+M PAPER

ording show office

smith T. grew Indully

Harry 2 white

Henry
14.France batters VH Fred Hinding COE
William L. Clayton

March 23, 1945
4:41 P.M.

202
201

G:(cont)

representatives. I think this is the best way

HMJr:

Hello.

we have of inspiring this payroll savings plan.
You see, we are doing our work in the variou

Mr. Gehles

This is Fred Gehle.

it puts self-management -- nazes self-management

HMJr:

Good Afternoon.

01

How are you today?

HHJr:

Fine.

a:

You've got no steamed up

HMJr:

Yes.

directions now, but this ties it all together and

avare..

HMJr:

... that this 18 the most important thing they have to

0:

do.

HMJr:

and this 1. what I've done.

0:

HMJr:

I's arranging a dinner. We're putting forward
this big dinner of cure oh the opening of the
Big Drive, and making it . pay-roll savings

0:

0:

HMJr:

Yesh.

And I vent to send out some telegrace tonight,
inviting about 1800 of our big business men,
our top business leaders to # dinner at the Waldorf
on April 9.

HMJr:

Yes.

0:

And I wondered if you could 20ml over and speak
at our dinner.

HMJr:

don't know that I'll be here, Kr. dable.
I couldn't promise. I tell you, Ted Gemble will

What?

It would put your blessing on our work.
Well, I appreciate the compliment. and I'11 be
telking with Ted in # fax minutes.
Fine.

0:

dinner.

HMJr:

Yeah.

d:

HMJr:

0
0:

I think he's in town.
Fine. Then I'll wist till I hear from you and Ted.
You'll hear one way or the other by tomorrow noon.

Fins. Mr. Secretary, That's plenty of time. Then

I can get the viree out followed with letters. I've

already engaged the Wallorf. We've not the room,
and I know we can make it a great success.
RMJr:
0:

I

be here in about 5 sinutes.

Well, I sporsolate your thinking of me.

Well, I --- I appreciate --- I appreciate that you've
got no coing on this thing, and I vent to take a
great success of it. This in one way of making a
start.

01

0:

HMJr:

0:

Yes.

And I'll telk to him.

HMJr:

Fine.

0:

But you were telking about your business leaders.
aren't there going to be any labor people there?

Y.e. I'm going to bring - the whole thing is
payroll and I's going to bring the labor Tenders,
the business leaders, and the workers - the people
who work in this thing for it - who are our Treasury

HKJr:
G:

HMJr:
01

If you don't mind my using your delicatescen story.
(Laughs). No. you can do anything with of you like
if you promise to come over on the 9th.
You know, I used it.
What's that?

I used 1: -- that delicatement story.
Did you?

-3HMJr:

203

It was in the Times.

o
HMJr:

No.

0:

RMJr:

It was in the Times today.

I'll have to -- I haven't and A chance to read

0:

my paper, I've been no bury.
HMJr:

when it gets to delicatesses people buying bonds and

speculating it's time to on11 n halt.
(Laughs) Well, I'll have to tell by delicatesmen

0:

ran that he has become famous.

HMJr:
0:

HMJr:

You show 1: to him.

I'll do that.
What I did tell them and they didn't put it in -

that he WRA # good 4=licetenden non, but he shouldn't
speculate.

(Laughs). Very good, indeed.

0:

KMJr:
0:

HMJr:

All right.
Well, all right. Now 10 the 9th isn't available
to you, tell so. if you will, what day you with -you could make it. Bromuse it seans a lot to us
to have you --- what I would like to any is, that
you are going to have - that you would like this
opportunity to meet these New York busineen leaders
to discuss the forthooming Loan. I'm saying this
is so vital that I vent you to come.
Aren't you worried that I may get too rough with
thea?

01

HMJr:
0:

No. That is exactly what I want you to do.
I see.

I want you to do that, because you've got to help
me do a job.

0:

Right.

Now its # job that we can do. I'm convinced that
MA can do this, but what I want 1. the inspiration
of you coming and telling that you've not to help
Fred Gehle.

0

HMW:

G:

(Laughs)

HMJr:

Thank you very such.

0:

Goodbye.

HMJr:

Yeah. I didn't mention your name, but I just said

Right.

Bye.

206
L

205

March 23, 1945
4:45 p.m.

-2on reparations, why, I think that all the buffeting I have

that
this out and we withdraw it and change it was &

taken since Quebec will be repaid many times. But the fact
they have got completely thing very got satisfactory them to

GROUP

Present: Mr. D. W. Bell
Mr. Gaston
Mr. White

thing. The whole thing is unbelievable, I mean, when
people are working against us behind the scenes and everything else. We have got a good tough document with decentralization responsibility on the Germans.

Mr. 0 Connell

MR. GASTON: Yes.

Mr. Blough
Mr. Hass
Mr. Peble

E.M., JR: Let them stew in their own juice.

Mr. C. S. Bell

Mr. Luxford
Mr. DuBois
Mr. Coe

Mr. Fussell

Mr. Bartelt
Mrs. Klotz

H.M.JR: This isn't working, this is just a meeting
to tell you how pleased I am with what has happened.
MR. GASTON: Good.

E.V.JR I don't know how many of you know, but very
much in the room here, a directive was gotten out on the
10th of March which was completely at cross-purposes from
everything that I stood for and I thought the President
stood for with regard to Germany, and Mr. Stimson said he
was tired and he wasn't going to do any more about the matter,
so it fell entirely upon no. To make 8 long story short, we
got the President to recall March 10, and he wholly accepted
the one which was done here last night with White Glasser,
and DuBois working on it, and this morning with will Clayton
and people here with me, Coe, will Clayton and Matthews, and
General Hilldring and McCloy, and the President accepted it,

and I think that it is the first step. It is a directive to

General Eisenhower; it's the first step toward a kind of
peace which I think will last. There was enough talk about
reparations, and if we get Treasury policy accepted

MR. GASTON: Heinitialled this and agreed to recall
the other one, did he?
H.M.JR: Yes, but he said this supersedes the other.
And now, what I started to say is, I would have had Dan
Bell and Gaston in, but they kept it down themselves, I
mean, to bringing one each. T brought two people in, and
I aidn't think that you would mind. I asked Coe to report
to you what happened, but I thought four Treasury people
would be too many. 1 had two besides myself, while each
of the others only had one besides himself.
MR. GASTON: May we read that document sometime?

H.M. JR: I told Coe to give you a full report.
MR. GASTON: We haven't seen the document, and I

would like very much to see it.

H.M.JR will you make it available?
MR. COE: Yes.

H.M.JR: I told him to give you everything. I guess
he just hasn't had time.
MR. COE: I showed the document to Mr. Bell, but I
didn't have it when I saw Mr. Gaston.
MR. D. W. BELL: I SAN it.

208

207

O

MRS. KLOTZ: I don't know how pleasant this is, but
you wanted that cleared today. (Hands Secretary letter

H.M.JR: will you do that?

from Mr. Grew, dated March 21, 1945.)

MR. COE: Yes.

H.M.JR: I don't know what to do. I think the Under
Secretary and three Assistant Secretaries had better stay
behind, and I will ask them about this.

H.M.JR: He had instructions to show you everything.
I guess it was just circumstances.
MR. COE: No, I was trying to arrange to see Nessrs.
Bell and Gaston at the same time, and I dropped in to see
Herbert ahead of time and talked to him.

What else have I got?

MRS. KLOTZ: You have got that thing that is folded.

H.M.JF Well, you will get it.

H.M.JR: You bring that to me tomorrow. You can't do
this sort of thing begInning at twenty minutes of nine and
all the motions that go into it and do anything else.

MR. GASTON: Yes.

Have you got anything that--

H.M.JR: But my instructions to Coe were--

MR. C. S. PELL: Everything I have will keep.

MR. GASTON: It is entirely all right; I would just
like to see it.
H.M.JR: It is fully understood you were to get a

full report, both of you. Isn't that right, Frank?
MR. COE: That is right.

H.M.JR But I wanted you to know what I as doing. I
an bushed, and I am not particularly--Joe started to throw
cold water, and I said, "Did you ever have a big Sunday
dinner and did you take an aspirin afterwards? He said
he would wait & couple of hours. So I want to enjoy my day.
If anybody has anything pleasant--sa & matter of fact, if
you have ever been to Pompeli--they have what they call a
vomitory, a receptical outside.
MR. WHITE: It is an old Kasan custon after 8 good
banquet so they could eat all over again.
MR. LUXFORD: You don't have a hangover, either.

H.M.JR: I have been to Pompeli; I recommend it.
Now, has anybody got anything pleasant? I an almost
afraid of White.

H.K. JR: I as here tomorrow and have no outside appoint-

1

ments. I an here all day. Any exceptions or-MR. C. S. BELL: I have one draft deferment.

H.M.JR: Let's have it. I think it is . great day

for the Treasury that we have been able to win out on this
thing. See? And I, not to sound too starry-eyed, think

it is going to be a great thing for our grandchildren, too.
MR. C. S. RELL: This is typical of the type of cases

you have been approving right along.

(Secretary signs draft deferment request for Mr. James

F. McMenamin, Jr.)

MR. C. S. BELL: You might want to sign Bill Sherwood's
letter promoting him from eight to nine thousand.
(Secretary signs letter addressed to Kr. William T.

Sherwood, dated March 23, 1945.)

MR. C. S. BELL: I think that is warranted.
O.K., sir.

210

209

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O

MR. D. W. BELL: I think you just initial the Executive

Order, don't you?

H.M.JR: Dan?

H.M. I am supposed to; that is what they have told
me for the last eleven years. (Initials Executive Order

MR. D. W. BELL: I have a call for the one and one-half
percent Home Owners Loan bond that has to be out by April 1,
and & letter to the Board.

amending Executive Order No. 8553 of September 6, 1940.)

Did you see the other one, Herbert, the March 10 one?

H.K.JR: I read Sylvia Porter's weekly letter saying

we were going to do this.

MR. GASTON: No, I haven't seen it.

MR. D. W. RELL: You did?

H.M.JR: Show him the March 10 one, too. I wanted
Bell and Mr. Gaston to have the whole story, please.

H.M.JR: Yes, I read her letter and know what is going
to happen. (Signs letter to Mr. JJ Francis Moore, dated

call him
MR. COE: Yes.

March 23, 1945.)

H.M.JR: Mr. White?

MR. D. W. BELL: She didn't ask as about it; I don't
know now she got it.

H.M.JR: That is the call. (Signs memo entitled "Call

MR. WHITE: There are two men we are hoping you will

up.thank
One him
is Beardsley
Ruml.
You first.
ought
call on
up and
for that CED
report
Hetowas
the telephone withme for at least three hours.

$

for Redemption of One and One-half Percent Series K Bonds.")

H.M.JR: I should thank him for that?

She got up to leave, and left little note behind

just to let me KOOK that she knows, "I hope you have a good
vacation, Mr. Secretary." (Laughter)

VR. WHITE: No, thank him for the objectives, his
careful study of the situation and his constructive

MR. D. W. BELL: She keeps track of you.

recommendation.

H.M.J She knew everything but the place.

NR. LUXFORD: Thank him for the testimony he is going
to give us. (Laughter)

MR. D. W. BELL: This is an Executive Order which
transfers Seaboard Airline securities to Judge Vinson, and

MR. GASTON: Now you understand.

he has agreed to it, or has agreed to--that Is . letter to

MR. LUXFORD: We might 88 well get to the point here.

him that you wanted.

H.M.JR: He sounds like a horse.

(Secretary signs letter to Judge Vinson to be dated

March 24, 1945.)

MR. WHITE: Then, Bill Green is sore, and we would
like you to call him up because he said we don't need
his help if we have CIO's help. He thinks you called up

MR. D. W. BELL: And there is a letter to the President.
Attached to it is the Executive Order.
(Secretary signs letter to the President, to be dated

March 24, 1945.)

0

211

-7-

C

212

-8-

O

Murray and asked him to make the statement. But in any

MR. WHITE: This is nothing new,but Senator Wagner

case, we need their statement. I know you don't like to
do this, but if you could give him a ring, it would help
us. We are having a little difficulty there.

is sensitive that he hasn't been asked by us to speak
on the radio, but we said we had a spot for him and he
said, "Why are you letting me know so late?' We said,
"We just got that spot. . Feitus said the real reason
is that he is not a good speaker on the radio, so I

H.M.JR: Have you used Lawrence Houghteling on this?

told him.

MR. WHITE: No.

MR. LUXFORD: Radio halitosis.

MR. LUXFORD: He has been working on AF of L for &
long time.

E.M.JR: Did you hear what he said, "Radio halitosis?"

MR. WHITE: On this?

(Laughter)

MR. LUXFORD: On Bretton Woods.

MR. WHITE: He said, "You seem to find plenty of spots
for Secretary Morgenthau.

H.M.JR: Oh, Green personally?

I said, "That is different. Besides," I said, "We

MR. LUXFORD: Some of the men that work under Green.

8

He told me about his problems.

MR. WHITE: Nobody but you can talk to Bill Green

and get any help in this situation, Mr. Secretary. Those
are the two calls.
H.M. JR: Whenever White is overtired, he treats me

with applesauce, and that's an indication that he is
overtired. I would much rather have him fresh and sparkling
and then I don't get the applesauce, but I'll call him.
Now, do you want me to send some clippings up, too?

MR. LUXFORD: Sure, sure, the clippings. (Laughter)
H.M. JR: Is there anything else, Harry?
MR. WHITE: No, that's all.
H.M.JR: No clippings?
MR. LUXFORD: It wouldn't hurt to send them, you might

as well.

have the Secretary got a wonderful was going spot out in there, San Francisco. but would We you don't be glad know if

$

to go?"

H.M.JR: I won't call lagner; he is always hurt.
MRS. KLOTZ: He is an old maid.

MR. WHITE: I won't tell you the reply, but we are

very eager to have somebody important go there. We can't
turn them down, and we are urging Joe to go out before the

Bar Association: the Chief Justice out there will be
present. Joe can fly both ways, I hope. That is on the
10th or 12th. Letting him go will be very good.

H.M.JR: I think you will find that Joe would go.
MR. O'CONNELL: I will be glad to go. I only heard
about it an hour or two ago, but it is a group of lawyers,
the Bar Association people out there, and I could speak on
Bretton Woods.

H.M. JR: I think it would be fine.
MR. O'CONNELL: I would like to go.

214

213

-9-

10 -

0

H.M.JF That is right.

H.M.JR: All right.

MR. LUXFORD: Americans United will take care of that.

MR. WHITE: We can give him a couple more, maybe, on
the way over and back.

H.M.JR: They are very volatile; don't pay any attention
to them. Tomorrow, they think, will be good. You just do

what I asked you to.

MR. O'CONNELL: Stop off at Kansas City and-H.M.JR: Luxford?

Anything else?

MR. LUXFORD: I have nothing, sir.

MR. FUSSELL: No.

MR. BARTELT: Er. Secretary, I am happy to report that
the Postmaster General has instituted pay roll savings in
first and second-class post offices.

H.M.JR: No clippings.
MR. LUXFORD: Not so far.

MR. D. W. FELL: After four years.

H.M. JR: No parings? DuBois?

MR. WHITE: Did you see the slogan in one of the editorials,
"Business is for Bretton Woods because Bretton Woods is
for Business"? Did you see that one?

MR. GASTON: Postmaster Cohan in Kinneapolis told me

they just got their orders to put it in there after he had

:

been working for it so many years.

C

H.M.JR: Coe?

H.M.JR: I have heard it; I don't know where it is.

MR. COE: The French and British were in yesterday
and wanted you to know that they have signed a complete
financial agreement clearing up all previous ones. They
have given us copies that we are analyzing.

MR. WHITE: In one of the newspapers.

H.K. JR: Also, what is the thing, "Eventually why
not now?' That is Pillsbury.

H.M.JR: Talking on that, the thing you sent me, Hass
is very interesting, and I think that if Fussell would pass
it on, maybe, to F-L, all this criticism-not FEA, but Karvin

MR. WHITE: I remember that.

H.M. JR: Isn't that it?

Jones--

MR. GASTON: General Mills, Washburn Crosby.

MR. HAAS: That is where I got it.

S.M.JR: DuBois?

H.M.JR: Then never mind, but we gave one hundred million
tons of meat to the Mussian Army. The Russian Army said they
couldn't stage their offensive unless they could get the meat.
They got the meat, and then the offensive came afterwards;

MR. DuBOIS: I have nothing.

H.M.JR: Fussell, you have gotten all straightened

and with all these people beefing in this country, I think it

out; you just carry out my order. I told them that--

MR. FUSSELL: We won't send out Minnesota, is that
right, Mr. Secretary?

would be helpful if--

O

March 23, 1945
5:06 P. 4.
215

216
0

11 -

0

HMJr:

MR. WHITE: To should have given them two hundred

Mr. Beardsley

million tons and they would have been in Berlin.

Rum Hello.

H.M.JR: All right, Eddie, that is all for you? Frank,
that's all for you? John Peble?

EMJr:
R:

HMJr:

MR. PEHLE: You remember, you approved--

Henry Morgenthau, Jr. How are you?
Fine, thank you.

I Just wented to tell you how delighted I MAE
with the CED report.

H.M.JR The put all that stuff in the report that

R:

you more a great any and Olrich was a SOR?

HWJ

MR. PEHLE: That is part of Olrich's publicity staff.
R:

H.M.JH: You won't get any Munsingwear.

HKJr:

VR. PEALE: I know it.
You r emember, you agreed to the establishment of

R:

a

regional office in Philadelphia. Last week we got . joint

letter from Guffey and Myers ardently recommending their
man for the job. The guy looks rather weak on paper, anyhow. We have worked out here with Charlie and Herbert to
move the Boston man, Tompkins, to Philadelphia, and move

here from Nack's to run Boston. Guffey

HMJr:

because--

R:

HXJr:
R1

These boys want Hannegan's help, and Hannegan wants

us all to go to the Jefferson Day Dinner, and here he wants
this. You had better look at that (hands letter to Mr. Gaston).

Yell, I'm delighted.
And, I know how hard you worked for it, and I
Just want to 1st you know that I personally aporecist what you have done.

Well,
: capit hear you, Mr. Secretary, very well.
Can you hear net
I's over the Federal Reserve Line. Maybe you'v

got rosebody there. I' through switchboard in

H.M.JR: Go ahead. This is right on that subject, a
protest from Hennegan (indicating letter from Mr. Hannegan
dated March 21, 1945).

I think that it 18 the first constructive thing

the Federal Reserve.

on paper

so I don't think we will be--Brien McMahon was all excited

Ch, Its delighted. That's very nice.
that have come out from . business group.

We have more of it coming to you.

a and man Myers won't like that, shop but up it is strong enough

Hello.

Can you hear =7
Yes.

%ell, I wanted you to know this that that job
VSB Very definitely . group job.

EMJr:

A what?

R:

A group job.

FMJr:

A group Job

R:

(Secretary holds a telephone conversation with

Yes, there were about five of us that worked very

hard on it. No particular person, I think, did the

whole thing.

Beardsley Rum1.)

HMJr:

Well, I hear differently. I hear that you -- I's

not
trying to throw b pun -- but threw your weight
around.

F-1

218

217

Well, what I 410 - I sort of strabbled the

R:

HMJr:

-120

Yeah.

MR. PERLE: we are all together on it; I just want

: collected the material, etc. But it WELE = Tory

R:

you to know.

(incere, VIFT earnest 365 by about CAVA follows.

the others All along beautifully,
HMJr:

H.M.J.: Say, we want help from Hannegan and he wants

us to take tickets for the Jefferson Day Dinner on
April 13th.

Well. T just wanted to 1st you have that tots been

nest helpful, and : hope you prople will it

up. Ye got --

the GASTON That's a middle plug.

You know, Helph Flanders STAS chairsen : the this-

R:

I.M.JR: And no want him to get us two votes. I
don't know what they are worth.

mitten.

HWJ.:

Va gat --

R:

Have you tolked to Relph

MINJ:

I haven't yet.

MR. GASTON: I have written to hannegan and these

Senators. lie can't make those rerional director jobs
local patronage jobs. Se can't do it.
11. PEALE: I think it takes--I.r. Secretary, the
Treasury has to be pretty tough on this because there
is word around, as Berbert says, that Procurement is a
patronage thing and it is roing to be hard enough to
keep it clean as it is. If we once weaken on that, we
are lost.

I think he YOUI appreciate with such . cell from
you, and I think he would = Very stac to Holp purh

R:

1: *long.

**11, I'll onli Relps Flanders tomorrow
R:

He var chairsna of the committee.

HMJ:

I know.

R:

D

H.M.JR: Vavbe we can get # good effect on the Hill
if we made it patronage.

And 1: you 5.01 you cause is that, : think it
kool by greatly = tries.
I'1' coll his :- the morning.

R:

Thank you, sim.

**Jr:

Ever to with obliged.

R:

Goodbye.

MR. PELLE: Then you better put somebody else in
charge.

H.M.JH: Well, you know how to play the game.
LUXFORD: How did you get that good publicity?
(Laughter)

line WHITE: That was only a ninor job.

H.M.JH: Don't you get high hat with me young fellow;
anybody can get that in under Olrich and yourself.
RES. KLOT%: They are mean, John.

0

F-3

Y-2

219
14
13-

O

0

E.M.JR: I haven't seen any memos. I have been
fighting the battle of post-mar peace.

MR. FEBLE: We also got a kick out of Brien Mellahon.
We put Mr. Fox in because Mr. Fox has lived in Greenwich
since last August, and me should have talked to Mr. Mallahon.

MR. BLOUGH: Well, the only thing that worries me
is that Taft and Vandemberg here so very nice. That, I
think, is the cause or real alarm.

H.M.JR: The fellows in the bleachers are with no.

H.N.JRI You better not say that. They will come
right after you. Get them for Bretton Woods.
You have to be very careful with this around.

MRS. KLOTZ: Do se have to answer that letter
acknowledging its

H.M.JRI Could I answer that tomorrow before I leave,

Green in out of town and 1 said to try to reach him

saying that Mr. Penle doesn't play in politics but he
would be glad to take care of Joe Guffey? But boys, you

tomorrow.

better answer It tomorrow.

BLOUGH: in were very well received. It was
keet entirely confidential, but we were very well received.
As said, I an just " blt disturbed that Vandenberg and
Taft seemed pleased. It is probably the last report they
will be pleased at, but It happens on this one me agreed

100 CASTON: It is for your signature, isn't it?
MR. PKELE: It will be all over tonorrow If the
press release goes out.
H.M.JRI George, 1 am going to take another look at
finances tomorrow, and you better have another look at
the one and one-half percent ones, too.
MR. HAAS: lie look at them each day.

with them.

0

H.M.Ju Is everything else all right?
MR. FLORGE: Everything else is pretty much under
control, yes.

H.M.JH: This idea of selling them about par--

41. O'CONNELL: You not n letter the other day from
Senator Pepper Invitine you to testify before the Sub-

MR. HAAS: It is better now that the parket has gone

Committee of which be is Chairman. He asked the to speak
to you by Saturday, or else.

H.M.JH: I make a little sneech on no free riding

(Kr. O'Connell hands Secretary letter from Senator Pepper
to the Secretary dated March 22, 1945.)

up.

and up roes the market.

MR. HAAS: Five or nix thirty-seconds.
H.M. Jh: Koy, henry Wallace think rou are wonderful.
MR. BLOUGH: I hope he will keep on thinking so.
H.M.JR: What happened to our recommendations on
Tuesday?

10. BLOUGH: Oh, you oidn't see my memo?
(

220

This is only Friday. I'm going over all
arpointments tonorrow. I have liar bonds, Bretton woods,
and you make . note lirs. %lots.
USS. KIOTE: Let me take it.

100 0* Unless you are particularly anxious

to testify, I have written a letter to which Harry and
Laxford have spreed saying that you mould like to testify,

but you can't, and surresting that Harry White or somebody

else mould to Interested in testifying.

9-4

F-5

222

- 16

221
15

C

E.M.JR: That could be very helpful.
MR. CONNELL: That is a good Committee to appear
before, but If you don't want to go,White can go.
E.M.JR: Thank you.

They are asking me to talk on the Seventh war Loan
about what I am cold to do,and I an so worried that

Luxford may worry about ny pushing Congressmen around

that I have to be very careful. All right?
MR. 0*COFFEED I have nothing else.

H.M.J.R. Nov that we have 6 real story Ir the one
on law enforcement the have to make good. (Laughter)

H.M.TH: Why can't the ret those, Herbert--feed that

out to the press, just as result of the story--whip It
up?

MR. GASTOM This story you speak about--the story
itself gets some results. We can needle them again
after awhile.

MR. O'CONNELL: I would walt . little while. Give
us a few days.

h.M.JH: The air last night was just crowded with
this stuff. Sould you mind tenorrow--I may not agree
with these people--I may want to -I've some of this to
the newsparer men tomorrow If I can get there before
Elmer Trey does.

10. CASTON: I 9.23 not so sure.

MR. D.W. RELL: There were a lot of inquiries today

at the Federal Reserve Bank about exchanging high

denomination bills to lover denomination tills.
Really$

101. D.N. FELL: Yes, 0 lot of them. Les sound
is a little sorried about it and said he would watch it
for 3 couple of days and let me know. e found one man
in unstate Net York sho--1 don't know just hot be put it-indicated that he found a million dollars worth of old

certificates his holdings and EAS sort o: surprised
that he had them.

H.M.JRI AS a result of that?
10h. D.N. BELL: he began to look them over,and another

fellow case in with four hundred thousand dollars In bills

to # New Jersey bank and wanted to know If they could exchange them, and they immediately not in touch with the Federal
and seld they could exchange them but they would have to

take his name. Another TUND and sold he

had fifty one thousand dollar bills, I think, and wanted
to know if they would exchange them. They said, "Yes, but
you will have to give us your name and address, and he
said, "I'll be bank this afternoon. Whether he cane back,
I don't know.

15. WHITE: If they in and exchange those bills,

I don't think there is any benefit unless you get their
names. Can't you -et their names?

the D.N. HELL: we are getting their names.

Mr. GASTON: it is all, set up. We do get their
names.

MR. WHITE: They will be turned over to the Income
Tax Bureau.

UK. D.W. PELL: I MIT going to call sone of the other
Federal reserve Banks and see if they can't do the same
thing. be have 1 reporting system in New York.When someone
deposits a large amount of currency they get his name.
VR. WHITE: I notice you have a lot of good old
books here--valuable reading.

H.M. Now we are up to you, Mr. Caston.
MR. CASTON: I don't believe there is anything to
report, sir.

2-7
F-6

224
223

17 -

18

O

0

H.M. JR: I don't know whether I reported about my
trip out West, but I want you to know Mr. Gaston has
three of the finest grandchildren I have ever seen.
I have a granddaughter, but he has three boys. They
are something!

1R. GASTON: Now you are really getting down to
matters of importance.

H.M.JR: Well, anyway, it's a big thing for all of us.
Let's get serious for 8 minute. I have never been
under such pressure in my life to give way on principles,
and I didn't, and the fact that we have a good team, they
just can't break the team. 40 stand for something worthwhile. It's one of the few rewards you get. After all,
We were really fighting for something important in the
conference here this morning. It was one of the most
important conferences that I have ever participated in,
and it is very encouraging that are had the President to
back us up. That's the thing. They tried to get him to
C

change, and they couldn' t--the State Department crowd.
Sooner or later the President just has to clean his house,
I mean, the vicious croad over there, and people for cartels,
for appeasement, and for building up Europe, for doing

business with these people--and it is just a vicious crowd.
MR. LUXFORD: Hear! Hear!

H.M. JR: And they are for Herbert Hoover, and Herbert
Hoover got us in this mess, and they are Fascists at
heart. The Argentine thing is a mess. Here NO are
more or less telling them, We will take care of you
if you stop buying your food from the Argentine, and

take the food away from the British. It's just a vicious

crowd, and sooner or later they have to be rooted out.
It was that crowd which fought us with no rules. It's
terribly hard, and if when these periods are on, if I
am ever short with any of you, well, you will just have
to be a little charitable, because you can't be fighting
a thing like this will all your soul and mind and body,
and at the same time always be one hundred percent pleasant.

I try to be, but I don't know whether I have the habit,
but anyway, it has been worth-while, and I think now we
are on our way. lie have won out on our fight on crimes,
I think, Joe, and criminals. Don't you think so?
MR. DuBOIS: I don't know.

H.M.JR: This thing--this document I think sets the
tone. I think we are on our way on peparations, and while
we crook are we not get always there invited uninvited. to all So, the I moetings, just want by to hook say I or

am happy and I like my official family.

225

March 23, 1945
5:15 p.m.

226

O

SAN FRANCISCO CONFERENCE

-2admitting Treasury but they won't admit it on the Cabinet
level. The nominal head of the Treasury Delegation is to
be Assistant Secretary or Under Secretary. That's what
they are saying, and he can take people with him.

Present: Mr. D. W. Bell
Mr. Gaston

Mr. White

Mr. Bartelt

H.M.JR: This starts April 25th. I suppose they

Mrs. Klots

go out before then.

MR. WHITE: It is an important conference, one of
the most important world conferences.

H.M.JR: Harry, you may not know it, but you are
Assistant Secretary.

MR. GASTON: Either Dan or Harry should go, I should
think, with some technical people.

MR. WHITE: I am sware of the fact. It weighs

0

very heavily on my mind.

MR. BELL: Harry has been attending the conferences.

H.M.JRI This is & letter from Mr. Grew. (Referring
to letter from Mr. Grew, as Acting Secretary of State, to
Secretary, dated March 21, 1945.) It says, Consideration
is now being given to the selection of technical advisers
to the Delegation of the San Francisco conference. In
this connection I should appreciate it if you will be so
good as to nominate at your earliest convenience an
official of your Department, within the range of Assistant
Secretary or Under Secretary, for consideration as a
technical adviser. Sincerely yours--

MR. WHITE: It's international affairs, I should think.

Now, I am just stumped. They want everybody but me,

and I as frankly stumped. I would like to have some
suggestions.

MRS. KLOTE: How do you know they don't want you?

H.M.JR: It is very obvious, but I couldn't go

anyway. I want to point out that it said, ..selection

of a technical adviser to the Delegation, and closes
"Assistant Secretary or Under Secretary for consideraup,
tion as a technical adviser. In other words, they want
a technical adviser.
MR. GASTON: They want 8 Treasury staff. They are

0

0

H.M.JR: Can you go, Harry?
MR. WHITE: I can go and come, depending on what

technical staff will stay there. 1 would very much like

to go, and how long I could stay there could be determined
upon what is happening here, but I would take & couple of
people with me and leave them there. I could fly back.

H.M.JR: I think you are the person to go, but I
delegated you to look after Bretton Woods for mo.

MR. WHITE: I think I can do both. Bretton Woods is
going along all right, and this is and can be a terribly
Important conference, because this is in effect a peace
conference, and there are & lot of economic matters
coming up, a lot of international matters coming up, and

there are & lot of things I would like to do for Bretton
Woods there because that will be before the final Bretton
Woods action here, and it would be an excellent opportunity
to round up a lot of the various Nations and get them
straightened out on Bretton Woods again. I think it
would be very useful to us, and I would like to take, and
I am sure they will permit me to take, a couple of people
with me, and the staff would carry on and play a role In
various parts of the thing.

RPRECISION

MARK

MICROSTAT

228

227
O

-3.

0

-4-

I think we can play a very helpful role there as

we have in the past, by merely bringing good people there
and helping them solve problems that are before the

H.M.JR: Twenty, twenty-nine.

conference.

MR. GASTON: Connecticut.

H.M.JR: I agree with you. My only doubt is your
physical limits.

H.M.JR: Thank you all.

MR. WHITE: Well, I would enjoy going there.
H.M.. JR: You would?

MR. WHITE: Yes, I would.

H.M.. JR: Well, it is technical and it is your field.
I don't think there is any question about it. Supposing
you prepare an answer for my signature, and I think I
will include in that that I an designating Mr. White,
but he would like to take several assistants wit th him.
0

t

MR. WHITE: That would work much better that way.
MR. GASTON: I think they mean that.

(The Secretary hands Mr. Grew's letter to Mr. White.)
MR. WHITE: The Treasury in England is playing a very

important role in this.

H.M.JR: Okay. I hope some day your--what, you go
to San Francisco, Joe DuBois goes to Moscow, and 1 go
to Connecticut and Wyoming Avenue? Good night!

MR. WHITE: We have a conference fixed up for you,
but you don't know it.

H.M.JR: Don't send me to the house of political
refuge on the banks of the Chungking River.
MR. GASTON: Is your address now Connecticut and
Wyoming Avenue?

TRADE

ROLL NO

MARK

230

-2-

229

March 23, 1945

additional food supplies. It was explained that Mr. O'Connor
was very sympathetic to the suggestion but that his staff had
presented many obstacles. General O'Dwyer also stated that a
sesorandum on this matter had been sent, at the suggestion of
Boettiger. Secretary Morgentheu stated
that he would be glad to give the General any assistance
might be needed in this matter.
General O'Dwyer then raised the satter which be had disounned with Secretary Morgenthau the week before, namely, his
short vacation or resigning. The Secretary
the matterPresident
with the who stated had
taking that he R had discussed
requested that General O'Dwyer plan to stay on as Executive
Director on a month to month basis. General O'Dwyer stated
that this was satisfactory to him.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY'S FILES:

David Niles, to Mrs. that

General O'Dwyer and Xine Hodel net with Secretary
Norgenthau March 22 at 5:30 p.m.

With respect to the Board's program in Switzerland and
the General's proposed trip to Switzerland, General O'Dwyer
explained that for reasons of health it would be impossiole
for him to SAKE the trip at this time. However, he informed
the Secretary that Mr. Katzki had left for London that day
en route to Paris; that James Mann, the Board' representstive in London, had been ordered to Paris; and that Mr.
beMcClelland with whom he talked on the telephone the day
fore, was also en route to Paris. The War Department has
made appropriate arrangements for all three War Refugee Board

Hourse Hodel

representatives to discuss with 0-4 in Paris the details in-

volved in the Board's acquiring transportation equipment from
United States army stocks.

C

General O'Dwyer explained that in addition to our efforts
to obtain aray equipment, Mr. McClelland 16 continuing his
efforts to obtain local equipment in Switzerland and Mr. Currie,
with whom General O'Dwyer conferred the day before, has agreed
to approach the Swiss Minister in Washington on the question
of making Swiss Government trucks
available
to that
the Red
Cross
Currie will
Kr.
stated
It
for

War

Refugee

Board

work.

VAN

do this in connection with his promise to obtain 50,000 tons
of coal for the Swiss.
The General then explained that if trucks got moving, it
conceivable that the stock of Wer Refugee Board parcela
Switzerland may be exhausted shortly and that efforts must
therefore be made to obtain additional food supplies in Switzerland. It was explained that the War Refugee Board now has
in

is

65,000 packages in Switzerland and 222,000 in Goteberg, Sweden,
and Lubeck, Germany. Since the Board program to evacuate de-

tainees to Switzerland depends upon the delivery of food into
occupied territory, it is desirable that we have adequate
supplies in Switzerland 80 that the program, once under way.
will not have to stop because of insufficient food supplies.
For this reason, General O'Dwyer exclained that he had diecussed with Basil O'Connor the possibility of having some of
the large stock of orisoner of war packages now in Switzerland
allocated to the War Refugee Board, if and when we night need

0

231

232

March 23, 1945
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

0

my dear m President:
My dear Mr. President:

Since you are going away for . time and events
are moving fast, I should like your permission

before you go to get some facts on the German
economy ready for publication in book form when
Germany falls.

The people of this country are going to need

information of this nature If they are to understand our policy.

With your approval, I want to get to work on
this at once. It will take several months to get
the material ready.
I hope you will have a good rest at Warn Springs.

Since ym are going
away in a time and executs
are mining part, of ohmeld

like your before

you 80 to get enne parts

m The German economy
In Austination

ready in book from for

I when Germany
falls.

With warnest regards,
Sincerely yours,

The health of this eventing
are going to need information

this nature 1 They are

of

understand in Julia

with you affirmal 1.
The President,
The White House.

PRECISION

TRADE MARK MICROSTAT MICROFILM ROLL NO

O

ases .88 doral

like want Z get to work in ()

This at once It will take
senial months a get the

.all tast of

material ready

5am mult it TOI cases saley 078 HOT 40012

doluntaries THOT will hinods ,Jun1 anivas 978
number add no stoal agon 295 of os NOT stoled
gods (TO) food at colfablides 10) thear
.Hffs? quarter

9 who you will hour
a and sen - at warm

bean of salou STA VITAMOD ald to algong and?

of are gard 11 mutan whit 10 meltimotal
golfog two banda

Shings

as show of Tax of Jam 1 THOY dill

195 of adiann Issavan mia III if somo to airt
Inland not

with warmat regards,

mail to tast boo3 a avail film mor aqud 1

Faithfully

difficill

WITHOUT

ad?

star td
O

PRECISION TRADE MARE

MICROFILM

MICROSTATE

ROLL

233

0

My dear Mr. President:

Since you are going away, I would like to suggest

that it would be wise if I were to get the facts on the

from the Desk of
from the Desk of

German economy ready in book form for publication when

Germany falls. The people of this country are going

0

to need this knowledge in order to understand our policy.

ween in Pres

With your approval, I will get this material ready. It

234

MRS FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT

Since 7th are going

will take several months.

: Hoping that you will have a good rest at Warn
Springs and with best regards, I remain
Yours sincerely,

away I would who to

suggest To wise if

Irve the get the facts

in Semmary economy

ricdy in hole form
for publication when
the germany here fales The

235

MRS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

all To and
this
kindedge
in
udu to
understand
our folicies
with your this officer
Imaterial
will get
allready can

It estabe several

month
Hoting you law
a
things

236

Capies to Bill+
THE WHITE HOUSE

white

WASHINGTON

March 23, 1945

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF TREASURY

I - enclosing for your information a
photostatic copy of . letter which I have
sent to the Secretary of State in regard
to the supervision by the State Department

of the activities of civilian economic
representatives in foreign countries of all
civilian agencies of the government. I
would appreciate your cooperating with the
Secretary of State in working out the
arrangements in detail.

Enclosure:

70%

Letter to the Secretary of State

my

3/26/45

answer

necessary

PRECISION

TRADE MARK

MICROFILM

MICROSTAT

ROLL NO

237

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

March 20, 1945

My dear Mr. Secretary:

Much good work has already been done to assure
that the economic personnel of the various government

agencies who are stationed abroad work together at a

team, but I should like to see this trend carried

further. Effective foreign operation denanda centralisation in each country of responsibility for the
activities of all of our civilian economic represent
tatives.

I realize that it is not often feasible for the
chief of mission to take upon himself personally the
task of supervising the activities of the economic
personnel within his area, and that, in number of
cases, the chiefs of mission have delegated their

authority in such matters to principal economic offi-

I

care. I would like to see the application of this

principle extended to the end that the activities

abroad of economic personnel of all civilian agencies
be supervised in each country by an economic counsellor

or, where appropriate, an economic minister of

course on the payroll of the Department of State.

I shall give you all necessary assistance in the
realisation of this goal which is of great importance
in the effective conduct of our foreign economic relations.

Very sincerely yours,

Marunt
The Honorable

Edward R. Stattinius, Jr.
Secretary of State

a

239

238

23 March 1945

The following is a summary of U.S. policy relating to

Germany in the initial post-defeat period. As such it will be
introduced into the European Advisory Commission, and will be

used as the basis for directives to be issued to the U.S.
Commanding General in Germany.

0

Controls may be imposed upon the German economy only as may

be necessary (a) to carry out programs of industrial disarnament

and demilitarization, reparations, and of relief for liberated
areas as prescribed by appropriate higher authority and (b)
to assure theproduction and maintenance of goods and services
required to meet the needs of the occupying forces and displaced

The authority of the Control Council to formulate policy
with respect to matters affecting Germany as A whole shall be
paramount, and its agreed policies shall be carried out in each
sone by the zone commander. In the absence of such agreed

persons in Germany, and essential to prevent starvation or such
disease or civil unrest as would endanger the occupying forces.
No action shall be taken, in execution of the reparations program
or otherwise, which would tend to support basic living standards
in Germany on a higher level than that existing in any one of

policies, and in matters exclusively affecting his own sons,
the sone commander will exercise his authority in accordance with

the neighboring United Nations. All economic and financial

directives received from his own government.

international transactions, including exports and imports, shall

The administration of affairs in Germany should be directed

toward the decentralization of the political structure and the
development of local responsibility. The Ornan economy shall also
be decentralised, except that to the minimum extent required for

be controlled with the sim of preventing Germany from developing

a war potential and of achieving the other objectives named herein.

The first charge on all exports for reparations or otherwise shall
be a sun necessary to pay for imports. No extension of credit

carrying out the purposes set forth herein, the Control Council

to Germany or Germans by any foreign person or Government shall

may permit or establish central control of (a) essential

be permitted, except that the Control Council may in special

national public services such as railrouds, communications and

emergencies grant such permission. Recurrent reparations should

power; (b) finance and foreign affairs, and (e) production and

not, by their form or amount, require the rehabilitation or

distribution of essential commodities. There shall be equitable

development of German heavy industry and should not foster the

distribution of such commodities between the several zones.

dependence of other countries upon the Gernan economy.

241

240

.4-

0

0

War criminals and those who have participated in planning

In the imposition and maintenance of economic controls,

or carrying out Nazi enterprises involving or resulting in
strocities or WGF crimes, shall be arrested, brought to trial

German authorities will to the fullest extent practicable
be ordered to proclaim and assume administration of such controls.

and punished. Nami leaders and influential Nasi supporters and any

Thus it should be brought home to the German people that the

responsibility for the administration of such controls and for

other persons dangerous to the occupation or its objectives, shall

any breakdowns in those controls, will rest with themselves
and their own authorities.

be arrested and interned.

A suitable program for the restitution of property looted
by Germans shall be carried out promptly.

The Nazi party and its affiliated and supervised organizations

The German arned forces, including the General Staff, and

and all Nasi public institutions shall be dissolved and their

all para-military organizations, shall be promptly demobilized

revival prevented. Nasi and militaristic activity or propaganda
0

in any form shall be prevented.

There shall be established a coordinated system of control
over German education designed completely to eliminate Nami and

and disbanded in such a manner as perumently to prevent their

revival or reorganization.
The German war potential shall be destroyed. As part of

militarist doctrines and to make possible the development of

the program to attain this objective, all implements of war

democratic ideas.

and all specialized facilities for the production of arnaments

Nami laws which provide the basis of the Hitler regine a
which establish discriminations on grounds of race, creed or

political opinion, shall be abolished.
All members of the Nagi party who have been more than nominal

participants in its activities, and all other persons hostile to
Allied purposes will be removed from public office and from

positions of responsil bility in private enterprise.

shall be seized or destroyed. The maintenance and production

of all aircraft and implements of war shall be prevented.

RECISION TRADE MARE MICROSTATA MICROFILM ROLL NO.

242
Office Treasury of the Under Department Secretary

Date: 3/23

for The Sinceraly
From:

Hurry up job. of

you wont mon

detail more time is

necessary.
in last than Treasury
had some
some troubles asm

this one. DWB

244

243
THE UNDER SECRETARY or THE TREASURY
0

WASHINGTON

PEACE COMMISSION COTOBER, 1918

MAR 23 06

A joint memorandum dated October 24, 1918, addressed to the

Secretary, initialed by Mr. R. C. Leffingwell, Mr. Albert Bathbone,

TO THE SECURITARY

Mr. Albert Stranes and Mr. George O. May, referred to a nemorandum

Reference is made to your nemorandum of March 18th concerning

addressed to the President suggesting the appointment of a represen-

the question of reparations - who handled it during the last WAT

tative of the Treasury at the Peace Conference. The joint memorandus

and what part did the Treasury play is 11.

stated -

In view of the financial contacts between the United States and

*It is clear that a permanent peace and the future

foreign governments during and after the First World War which grow

of this country are both a

on the wisdom with which the problems
bases of the fiscal

out of our loans to foreign governments, the Treasury had an important

are laid down

that this
with by one who enjoys the intimate con-

role during the WAT and at the Peace Conference.

prosperity are dependent therefore belligerents solved essential and which the phase for is of the policies financial the large future. negotiations manner of It the is

A summary of the principal operations of the Treasury in this

President
who possesses
fidence should
be ofanddealt
the unquestioned

standing among his colleagues and among the represente

field is as follows:
INTER-ALLIED COUNCIL - JULY, 1917

The Secretary of the Treasury submitted to the President on

July 10, 1917. his proposal in the form of a letter which he intended
writing to each of the governments concerned providing for the prompt
creation of an Inter-Allied Council on War Purchases and Finance to

tives of the other nations."

0

Apparently as an outgrowth of these internal Treasury discussions
Secretary McAdoo addressed . letter to President Wilson on October 26,

1918, calling his attention to some of the financial phases of the
Peace problem and the importance of insuring adequate presentation of

the views of the United States on these questions at the Peace

sit in London or Paris for the purpose of determining their respective

Conference. This letter was distated by Mr. Albert Rathbone and

needs and priorities is the markets of the United States and of making

initialed by Russell c. Leffingwell, a copy of which is attached.

recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury as to the amount of

loans that shall be sade from time to time by the United States. This
Council was eventually created and Mr. Grosby, who was then an Assistant

Secretary of the Treasury, was appointed by the Secretary of the

Is this connection, the following statements were contained is
a cable from Secretary McAdoo to Mr. Oroshy is Leadon, dated
December 5. 1918:

"First: Convinced that peace conference will deal
of the President

Treasury as Special Finance Commissioner in Europe and in that capacity

acted as President of the Council.

be determined by

past loans or the date of

our

with questions or fourteen future will points conferees their and that maturity. regarding no

This is apparent as Treasury has not been given official

246
245

-4-

-3-

While the President was attending the Peace Conference in Paris

*representation at the conference and ay opinion has not
been asked about these financial questions as undoubtedly

Secretary Glass became the new Secretary of the Treasury. President

pected to discuss such questions.

Wilson cabled Secretary Glass on December 23, 1918, statings

would have been the case if American representatives OF

"It will be very serviceable to have someone

*Seconds All questions regarding (a) the amount
which the United States shall loan Allied Governments
within the limits approved by the President and (b)

is whom you have the utmost confidence sent over

here to represent you in these important matters.

the form of the obligations and the date of their
maturity so far as not fixed by statute are matters

In response to this cable Secretary Glass recommended Mr. Norman E.

which Congress has delegated to the Secretary of the
Treasury and they must be determined by him. These

questions should not, even if technically possible
do sc. be settled at the peace table. The peace
conference will certainly not wish to interfere with

Davis (then representing the Treasury in Europe). The President

to

notified Mr. Davis "That you hold yourself is readiness to supply
such general economic and financial advice as may
wish from time to time during the Peace Conference.

authorities expressly delegated by Congress.

*Third: is Treasury is not to be officially represented at Peace Conference you will appreciate that 11
must not be unofficially represented there.
*Yourths Secretary of the Treasury is prepared
whenever the Allied Governments desire, to discuss with
then in Washington and to determine all questions regarding conversion and saturities of our foreign debt.
Congress has delegated to his settlement of these
questions and all discussions is regard to these
matters should be confined to Washington.

*Fifth: I an convinced that time is rapidly
approaching if indeed is has not already been reached
when all financial discussions should be conducted is
Washington by the Secretary of the Treasury and there
fore think satters should be shaped looking to as early
a discontinuance of the Inter-Ally Finance Council and
the return home of your organisation as can be accom-

plished with dignity and a due regard to the feelings
of the Allied Governments.

I
the
I the

"Sixth: If you should deem it desirable to visit

Washington in the immediate future to discuss the entire

situation before terminating the existence of your

I should entirely approve doing

new Secretary of such discussion

of a

In addition the President designated Mr. Davis to represent
the United States is connection with the Armistice discussion at Spa.
0

At about the same time Secretary Glass cabled President Vilson
regarding a more complete Treasury representation is Europe and asked
his approval of a Treasury Commission composed of Mr. Albert Streuse
as Chairman and Mr. Norman H. Davis and Mr. T. V. Lamons. The

President approved. While they were working for the President they
were available to express the Treasury viewpoint on all financial
(and apparently economic) satters which aross at the Peace Conference.

In the files of our activities during this period ve find a
letter addressed to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Bathbone by
Norman E. Davis from Paris on February 26, 1919. enclosing a confidential bulletin issued by the American Commission to negotiate peace,
which Mr. Davis thought would be of interest to Mr. Rathbone. This

organisation Treasury relative so. leave While to and importance your however to judgment the appreciate such decision visit the advantage and as of of to your your the to

presence is Europe during the next few weeks."

bulletin contained a section of notes on work of the Commission on
Reparation of Damages, February 15 to 21, 1919. Copies of these notes
are attached.

247

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248
0

& bulletin issued by the American Commission to Negotiate Peace

-6of the mission, acted as the United States representative on the

on February 14, 1919 outlined the membership of the commissions of

committee on organisation of the Reparations Commission. Upon the

the Conference. These commissions and the American members of the

organisation of the Commission he participated is its deliberations

more important ones are as follows:

as the unofficial representative of the United States, being succeeded

League of Nations
President Wilson

by Roland v. Boyden early in April, 1920.

Non. Edvard M. House
THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE - MAY, 1920

Responsibility for the War and its Authorisation

The Council of the Lengue of Nations in February, 1920 passed .

Non. Robert Laneing

Mr. James Brown Scott

resolution to "convene an International Conference with . view to

Reparation of Danages

Mr. Bernard N. Barach
Mr. Norman E. Davis

studying the financial crisis and to look for the seans of readying

Mr. Vance McCornick

is and of mitigating the dangerous consequences arising from it."
This conference was to be held in trussels at the and of May, 1920.

International Labor Legislation
International Control of Ports, Waterways and Railways
Economic Drafting Commission
Mr. Bernard K. Baruch

Financial Drafting Commission
Mr. Albert Straues
Mission to Poland

Study of Greek Territorial Claims
Study of Bumanian Territorial Claims
Control for Teacher.
FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN EUROPE 1919-1920

In January, 1919. Norman H. Davis was appointed by the President

0

The United States was invited to be represented at the conference
but the State Department replied as follows:
"This Government would not ... its way to appoint

as official delegation, but the Secretary of the Treas-

any will be glad to designate one or more unofficial
representatives to attend the conference.

the conference Vas postponed fres time to time but was finally set
for September, 1920. Roland v. Boyden, the unofficial representative
of the United States on the Reparations Commission, was designated as

the unofficial representative of the Treasury at the conference.

Finance Commissioner, representing the Secretary of the Treasury in
COST OF AMERICAN AEMT OF OCCUPATION IN GERMANY - 1923

Europe and acting as financial adviser to the American peace mission

until July, 1919. Early is that year Albert Stresse and Thomas v.
Lamont were designated as special representatives of the Secretary

and were associated with Mr. Davis as financial advisers to the peace

mission. Is the following fall Albert Rathbone, then Assistant
Secretary, acted on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury as financial adviser associated with the peace mission, and after the return

In 1923 Mr. Elliott Valsworth, an Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, went to Paris to confer with representatives of the
Governments of Great Britain, France, Italy and Belgium concerning
the reimbursement of the cost of the American Aray of Occupation is

250
0

249

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October 26. 1918.

the Rhineland. As a result of this conference Mr. Vadeworth signed
an agreement (May 25. 1923) on behalf of the United States whereby

Dear Mr. President:

the United States would receive its total Army cost in twelve equal

In my letter of this morning I called to your attention

yearly instalments, the first to be paid on or before December 31,

the financial questions which it is anticipated will form the sub1923.

ject of discussions almost immediately between the United States

It is not clear from our files whether this was considered a

Treasury and the representatives of the French and British Govern-

a

State or Treasury matter, but being financial in character,

neats. These discussions cannot but lead to further questions being

Treasury representative was chosen to carry on the negotiations.

raised which will have a bearing on peace negotiations.

I feel I should draw your attention to some of the financial phases of the peace problem and the importance of insuring

DUB

8

adequate presentation of the - of the United States on these
questions at the Peace Conference.
As settlements at the Peace Conference may involve sup-

plying France with gold or foreign credits, the use of the German

aercentile fleet and other matters that will have a vital bearing
on the questions indicated is my previous letter to you of this
date : do not anticipate that any final settlement of these questions
ona be effected until the Peace Conference. I do think, however,

that it may be possible at the discussions about to take place to
establish some general principles for dealing with these matters

and in any event such discussions will go far to clarify the situa
tion.

252
251

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C

be required without impairing financial resources
beyond the safety point.

The financial questions referred to in ay letter of this

(3) Those arising regarding reconstruction, involving

morning are sure is some form or other to crop out about the peace
table is spite of any tentative arrangements made before that time.

consideration of the extent to which neutral countries

There are other questions of finance that must then be determined,

should be required to participate is the reconstruc-

in many of which our country is vitally concerned and is all of which

tion of devastated areas by the supply of materials,

we are at least indirectly interested. A permanent and satisfactory

the wealth and financial resources of sugh neutral

peace one scareely be realized if the financial conditions are not

countries, and the methods of financing the actual

such as to permit the various nationalities to prosper materially and

work of reconstruction in the devastated areas.

(4) Those arising regarding the use and disposition of

to reap the rewards of industry and fregality.

requestered property in the various belligerent countries.

Among the other financial questions that will no doubt receive consideration at a Peace Conference are

It is reported that the Alien Property Custodian holds

0

a large amount of property, and delicate and import=

(1) Those arising from territorial readjustments, involving

0

considerations of war and pre-mar debt, character and

ant financial questions may be involved in the disposi-

purposes of past borrowing. relative wealth and resources

tion of this and similar funds held is other countries.

of different territorial areas. currency and banking.

(5) Those arising from demands that will no doubt be presented
by some of the associated governments in regard to restoring

(2) Those arising from reparation, involving consideration of
war expenditures, extent to which they have . permanent

gold reserves, involving a consideration of the present

residual value, extent of damage by the eneay, both in

and pre-war gold and currency situation of the belliger-

the ordinary course of var and is violation of inter-

est countries.

(6) Those arising is respect of the var indebtedness of gov

national law, including seizures of money and securities,

destruction at ... as well as on land, payments exacted

ernaents inter as. It may be anticipated that questions

in occupied territory for legitimate purposes or for

of a general readjustment of this debt will be raised by

spoilation, and also a study of the sources of wealth

the nations which have been both borrowers and lenders

and financial limitations of nationalities so as to
4

determine the amount of any payments that can safely

Q

and with which the United States, as one of the principal

254

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-4tical information and studies which are necessary if the Commission

is to be fully equipped for its work will readily suggest itself to

leading nations. is preeminently concerned from a

you, and I recommend that the Treasury, working in close cooperation

financial standpoint. Such questions would involve

with the inquiry being conducted under Colonel House, should be charged

studies from the financial standpoist concerning the

with the preparation of the financial information necessary to equip

international trade and finance during the pre-var

the Peace Commission to deal effectively with the financial phases of
period of the countries concerned, their earnings and

the peace negotiations. I have every reason to believe that such as

expenditures on account of shipping. capital investment,

arrangement would be welcomed by those is charge of the inquiry.

internal and external debt, and other data required to
form a judgment as to the ability of the debtor nations

Cordially yours,

to pay interest on their indebtedness and to amortize
(Signed) Vs. G. MoAdoo

the principal. From the standpoint of our own finance

cial safety the importance of holding the obligations
O

of the foreign governments which ve have acquired : think
must be apparent in any consideration of the questions

The President,
The White House.

I have presented, and I cannot too strongly deprecate
the suggestion that ve should cancel the indebtedness
of the Allied Governments which we hold, which is being
made by various individuals who are not charged with any
responsibility and who are necessarily ignorant of the
complicated problems involved.

I as not attempting to state all of the financial questions
which may arise at the Peace Conference, nor to go into then in detail.

AR: JJ

Those mentioned will serve to indicate the importance of the financial

problems to the United States and the desirability - if not the a
O

city of the Treasury's being represented on any Peace Commission that

may be constituted. The magnitude of the task of preparing the statis-

256

255

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A third point was brought ous, by the Powers which had
THE CONCISSION ON REPARATION OF DAMAGES

adopted arulation conventions with the Central Powers other than
Notes on Work of Commission. February 15th to 21st, 1919.
Germany, visi that as these conventions took effect before the
armistice with Germany and were unlimited as to the right of reparation,

The Commission continued its discussion of the fundamental

the position of the Powers could not be regarded as prejudiced.

principles on which reparation is to be based. The Belgian Delaga

The American position was reasserted to be limited tot (1)

tion, while maintaining its position as to the rightfulness of complete
reparation, including cost of var, has for practical considerations

damage resulting from violations of international law and (2) damage

supported the American position, on the ground that it would not be

done to civilian lives and property. The American representative nais-

possible to include all war costs of all the Allied and Associate

tained that the November agreement constituted . contract by which the

Powers without prejudicing the particular claims of Belgium, which were

Allied and Associate Powers had expressed . limit to their freedom of

justified. 11 was asserted, on account of the violation of Belgium's

action, and held that the armistice could not be considered otherwise
than as as instrument intended to guarantee that the Allied and Associ-

neutrality.
3

In regard to Berbia, N. Protitch held that a #0-called

ate Powers would be in a position to enforce ultimate terms of peace,

reparation which are Serbia a physical reparation but left her

these terms amounting to no more than . practical application of the

burdened with a huge debt to the Allies would fall very short of real

principles embodied is the previous agreement with Germany. As to the

reparation.

peculiar position of the Powers which adopted the armistice convention

The position of Great Britain was that of asserting that

with Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey, the American representative held

Belgium's right to claim var costs based on the necessity of self-defense

that while they were technically free, it was the understanding that

placed upon her, should be equally enjoyed by the Powers that case to

the spirit and purpose of President Wilson's fourteen points and subse-

her rescue.

quent addresses would be adhered to.

The French Delegation proposed to end the discussion by a

The position of France was set forth by M. Klots, whose main
argument was that the agreement with Gerway on which the armistice

vote on the following propositions (1) The right of reparation of

was based could not have been intended to limit the claims for repara-

the Allied and Associate Powers is all-inclusive (integral): (2) The

tion, inasmach as at the meetings of November 2nd and 4th, at which

enery must make good all coasage, as order of priority being preserved

the agreement for the cessation of hostilities was reached. article XIX
of the Armistice Convention was also drafted, in which the right to put
in further claims was expressly reserved.

.

for certain claims. The American Delegation proposed that the first

RECISION

TRADE MARK MC

257

-3of these propositions be submitted to the Suprese Var Council. This
proposal was unanimously adopted.

The two Sub-Committees. the First having to do with the
valuation of damages, and the Second with the capacity of the enery
to make reparation, are at work trying to gome to definite conclusions.

O

259
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

This the fifth of the State Department programs,
is about the enemy countries. Assistant Secretary of
State Archibald MacLeish has with him Assistant Beoretary James C. Dunn, who is in charge of European, Near

MARCH 23, 1945

FOR THE PRESS

No. 258

Eastern and Far Eastern Affairs, and Ambassador Robert
Murphy, Political Adviser to General Eisenhower. And

CONFIDENTIAL

now

FUTURE RELEASE
NOTE DATE

a

MACLEISH: This 10 Archibald MacLeish. I want to quote
paragraph or two from a letter sent in by a man who
lives on Monroe Street in Memphis, Tennessee. It will
explain our purpose in being here tonight far more In
eloquently than I can. Our rrespondent saye:

yesterday paper I read that the outfit with which I
served in World War I, and which spent a year 'occupying
Luxenbourg, has just taken Trier again. To me things
like this are certain proof that a do-nothing policy has

CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE FOR PUBLICATION AT 7:00 E.W.T.,

SATURDAY MARCH 1945. PREVIOUSLY

gotten us novhere, and fast.

PUBLISHED QUOTED FROM OR USED IN ANY WAY.

"My personal policy is boiled down to thist Will
it be necessary for the 5th Division to occupy Trier for
the third time?"

The following is the fifth of a series of seven broad-

casts over the National Broadcasting Company entitled "Build-

That's a fair question. It's up to us -- to you

ing the Peace*. The subject of this fifth broadcast 10
What About the Enemy Countries?

who are listening, and to those of us who are charged

with responsibility for the formulation of our foreign
policy - to make sure that the Fifth Division won't
have to occupy Trier a third time.

0

PARTICIPANTS

MR. ARCHIBALD MACLEISH
MR. ROBERT MURPHY

- Assistant Secretary of

Now, what about Germany Such influential newspapers as the New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer,
the Washington Post and the Christian Science Monitor

State

Assistant Secretary of

have asserted that it is time for the people of the

State

-

MR. JAMES C. DUNN

-

o

United States and the United Nations to be more fully
informed about our intentions with regard to Germany.
Ve hope to make our position on this question clear.

United States Political

Adviser on German Affairs,

And this is a most appropriate time to do it, with

SHAEF

MR. KENNEDY LUDLAN

Allied armies advancing rapidly into Germany from the
East and from the West. I have here with no two men
who are directly concerned with our policy toward a
defented Germany Ambassador Robert Murphy has just
come from the European theater of war. and 10 about to
return to his duties as Political Adviser to SHAEF
5-H-A-E-F -- Suprene Headquarters of the Allied
Expeditionary Forces. Is that right, Mr. Murphy?

Announcer for NBC

WHAT ABOUT THE ENEMY COUNTRIES?

VOICE #1: How are we going to deal with the Nazi var
criminals?

MURPHY: That's right, Mr. MacLeish. I might add that the
State Department is working hand and glove with the Army
in these matters. That's why I'm assigned to SHAEF.

VOICE #2: How can we re-educate the German people, who have

been getting nothing but Nazi propaganda for no long?
VOICE #3: What about our unconditional surrender policy
ANNOUNCER: Tough questions. But we must find the answers if

ve don't vant to DATE the way for World Var III ... For
authoritative information regarding our foreign policy,
NBC's University of the Air calls upon officials of the
Department of State, in seven broadcasts on the problems
of Building the Peace. These programs are part of
a

C

0

larger series on Our Foreign Policy, for listeners in
this country, and through the facilities of the Armed
Forces Radio Service, for our service men and women

overseas, wherever they are stationed.
This,

MACLEISH There's one question, Mr. Murphy, which has been

the subject of much discussion here at home in recent
months our demand for unconditional surrender. The
public opinion polls show that an overwhelming majority
of Americans support this demand. But there are some
who argue that this policy forces the Ge reans to fight
on, making victory more expensive for us. What do you
think of that argument?

MURPHY: That's pure eye-wash. If we offered the Germans any
sort of compromise -- which ve have no intention of
They
doing - it would be taken as a sign of veakness.
wouldn't believe us anyhow; the Nazi propagandists have

drilled into their minds too long the idea that Wilson's
14 points

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0

14 points were just a ruse to get Germany to surrender in
1918. This time the Germans will not be able to claim
that they were duped into laying down their arms. They
are nov witnessing the thing they understand best superior force of arms.

o

for following vicious leadership.
MACLEISH: Another question we frequently get 1st What about

the var criminale? Will they get away this time? One
lady writes from Portland, Oregon: "I on very much concerned over your failure to advocate
punishment
of varwill
-and
guilty

MACLEISH: We have made it abundantly clear, too, in our
broadcasts to Germany and in the report on the Crimen

leaders

of

Germany

surely

Japan

you

not favor them going unpunished so that history may again
repeat itself. I am not vengeful but surely we must
punish by death all those instigators or accomplices concerned in the proven atrocities.' Another correspondent
in New Orleans writes: "One of my sons ves killed and

Conference that "it is not our purpose to destroy the
people of Germany, but only when Nazien and Militarism
have been extirpated will there be hope for a decent life
for Germane".

rest
will
one vas wounded in this ver Never
while Hitler. Himmler, and their gang walk the world
free men." Those are typical of many letters to the
I

MURPHY: And judging from the increasing number of German

soldiers who are surrendering, Yr. KacLeish, and the
large numbers of German civilians who are disobeying
their lenders' demende that they evacuate the western
areas -- the German people understand us on this point.
They know that ve mean to destroy German militarism and
Nazism, and they respect UB for it. The German people

Department.

Nov, one writer has stated that after the last war,
a list of 896 war criminals was compiled by the Allies the
and

MACLEISH: That's the way it looks from Supreme Headquarters

in Europe; how does it look from the desk of the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of European Affeire?
Mr. Dunn, you have your own views on the unconditional
surrender policy.

o

to

the

Germans.

By

clever

bargaining,

DUNN: That's out of the question, Mr. MacLeigh. We are
fully determined to punish the war criminals this time.
There is complete agreement among the Allied Nations
that all of them will be apprehended and will be *brought
to just and swift punishment", to quote the Yelta
declaration.

O

DUNN: Yes. I think it's more than n military problem. We've
got to realize that while our primary military objective
is the defeat and unconditional surrender of the German
forces it 10 just as necessary for US to require the

MACLEISH: How do you define a war criminal? Let's start
right at the top. Hitler will, of course, be considered
war criminal.

unconditional surrender of the German Government. This
18 essential if the necessary steps are to be taken to
prevent a resurgence of the militarism which has caused
this ver and the previous were started by Germany. Anything short of a realization by the German people that out
their whole apparatus for making war is to be stamped

a

DUNN: Yes, unquestionably.

MACLEISH: The fact that he 18 chief of state 1e no reason for
excluding him? Some writere have expressed the fear that
some such legalistic reasoning will stand in the way of

would only give rise to another wave of militaristic
planning. Remember, last time we had an armistice
instead of unconditional surrender.

MACLEISH: Here's a letter from n corporal in the European
Thentre of Yer, who also has ideas on this subject:
was very angry when I read (about the talk of
negotiated peace. I have seen enough of the German
soldier to form the definite conclusion that a negotiated
pence will not end this war to any soldier's satisfaction.
It would only give Germany time to build up again, and
that would bring on a conflict that will be much worse
than the one we have now. Our only salvation 18 to get
en unconditionel surrender, whereby we can completely
disers Germany and destroy her militaristic form of
government want to become a civilian just as much
as the other fellow. But when I do become a civilian,

justice being done.

"I

o

submitted

Germen Government reduced the list to 45. Only 12 were
actually brought to trial, however, and only 6 were convicted, with light sentences. Can such a miscarriage
of justice occur again, Mr. Dunn?

are very tired of var.

I want to stay a civilian. I don't want to be called up
agrin in five years, which is what will happen if we give
the Germans a negotiated peace. That was a corporal
in the Army who spent 80 days in combat before he was
wounded. He vrote from an Army hospital overseas.

MURPHY: I know he speaks for our men over there. He speake
for us, too. Fortunately, this will soon become a dead
issue anyhow. Germany's choice now is between unconditional surrender, and pulverization and 10 they choose
pulverization, they will have only themselves to blame
for

DUNN: Hitler and Himmler and the others will be judged on the
basis of the note which they have committed or have

caused to be committed. Hitler is directly responsible
for the enslavement of the Jews and foreign workers; he
is responsible for the 0000 murder of Jews, Polen and

c

others; for such crimes P.S pillage extortion and arson;
and for numerous other common crimes. He must be held
responsible for then as an individual. There is no
question in the world but that he is responsible, with
others. for the initiation of policies which resulted
in ell of those acts.
MACLEISH: How far down the line would this go, Mr. Dunn?
Yot about the Gestapo? It's supposed to be a voluntary
organization which nobody 16 forced to join; should its
members therefore be held responsible for the organization's crimes?
DUNN: We think that members of the Gestapo who have carried
out criminal acts must be punished. All persons, whether
members of any such organization or not, who have

committed

263

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MACLEISH: Mr. Murphy, does all this scuare with the plans
being developed at Allied Headquarters?

DUNN: Well, Mr. MacLoish, whether he would natually be punish
as war criminal would presumably depend on whether he
committed specific criminal note or caused then to be committed. But he would certainly be among those to be dealt
with. There will inevitably be a lot of borderline ORBOS
for which A yardstick will have to be constructed.
don' t want any of the war criminals to get away.

MURPHY: I think Jimmy Dunn has expressed our views very well

MACLEISH: You have certainly made our position on war criminal

committed any of the acts which are considered crimes
against humanity will be considered var criminals. Ye
are interested first of all in justice being done, not 1
technicalities.

We

clear enough, Mr. Dunn. Some people seen to think we're
just going to eit behind dust legal volumes and let the

In deeling with the part of Germany our American troops
have occupied so far, we have apprehended any known war
criminals who have been left behind. Our military
authorities have dismissed Nazia from responsible positions as quickly 0.0 they could be identified and
replaced, regardless of whether or not there were any
specific charges against them. As American forces

oulprite get away.

DUNN: They' mistaken, Mr. MacLeigh. They' re dead wrong.
MACLEISH: There have been some press reports that Nazi polition

leaders and business men have their plans all laid for
escape, or have already escaped, to certain neutral countrics. Is that true, Mr. Dunn?

progress and larger areas fall to their juriediction,
this becomes a major responsibility After all, in
Germany at last reports there were some six million mean
bere of the Nazi Party and two million of them held

DUNN: Our representatives in the neutral countrice have been
on the alert for prominent Nazie coming in, but there has
been no sign of it so far.

major or minor offices.

MACLEISH: Nov let's examine that other legalietic argument
which has been cited as a possible loophol for var

criminals the argument that if an individual 10 morel

carrying out orders from above in committing strocities,
he's not personally responsible. will that argument be

O

DUNN: We have had assurances from most of the neutral countries

given any weight, Mr. Dunn? Some commentators have

that they would refuse admittance to any Axis war criminal,
and would deport them If they came in illegally. We are

expressed the fear that the people who actually committe
the atrocities would plead innocent on this ground.

not entirely antified on this as yet. But we will take

every necessary step to prevent the criminals from escaping

DUNN: I think we should look at the not itself, Mr. XacLeish
We are determined to punish the individual for the note
which that individual has smitted. We will make only

MURPHY: Our military have instructions to round them up before
they CAD get away, and we will not quickly when we occupy

one stipulation that there must be a fair trial in

Germany.

every case.

MACLEISH: Mr. Murphy, you have seen the work of the United
Nations War Crimes Commission in London. There is a pre-

MACLEISH: How about atrocities committed by Germans against
Germens, for example, in the CASE of German Jowa?

"111

valent idea in this country that it is supposed to not up
the machinery for catching the WAR criminals and bringing
then to trial.

the perpetrators of such crimes be punished?

DUNN: Yes. ve expect to go the whole way on this. Under
Secretary Grey node that clear a for weeks ago in one of
his press conferences. He soid that ve proposed to
bring the Axis leaders and their henchmen who have
comm. tted var crimes end strccities to justice, regard-less of who the vioting vere. That applies to crimos
Germans against Jews, and against the people of every

MURPHY: The present War Crimes Commission was not up at the

suggestion of the British. It sits in London and includes
representatives of 15 of the United Nations, incl uding the
United States and Grent Britain but not su yet the Soviet
Union. Under its terms of reference the Connission makes

of

recommendations to the coveral Governmental looking to uni-

occupied country.

MACLEISH: An accountant up in Newark who wrote in asking us

to discuss this whole question ns it applies "not only to
soldiers but also others who have helped Hitler to get
his pover brings up this question: Will Nazi industrialists be included in the definition of war oriminals?
I don't mean no a group. But take a case like this, and

there will be quite fev like it. I'm sure: A German

Industrialist bee supported Hitler from the outset.
has helped finance his rise to power, supported the

Ho

rearmament of Germany sold erms to the Hazi Government

at profit, used forced labor from the occupied countries in his plant, and supported the Nazi cause and

cooperated with the Nazi Government in every way. Would

that man be classed as a war criminal?

MACLEISH: Can you summarize the steps that have been taken to
prevent the escape of war criminals?

DUNN: Well,

formity in the definition of wer orines. It also identiO

fies and lists war criminals. It is A Commission for pre-

liminary study and has not been given executive powers.
Then, Allied forces arrest and detain war criminals as they
advance into Germany. The military of course have considerable data regarding war orines Those charged with
crimes and atrocitie committed in liberated areas are to
be turned over to the justice of those countrice.
DUNN: The American Government stands solidly for the apprehen-

sion and swift punishment of German war oriminals and is

actively cooperating its allies to the end that none

may escape retribution.

MACLEISH: The

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MACLEISH: The Soviet Union, according to the Dress reports
over here. deals with the war criminals she captures

swiftly and drastically. But Mr. Murphy pointed out
moment agao that she 10 not represented on the War Crimes
Commission. Does this mean there is a difference of
policy between the Ruesians and ourselves, Mr. Dunn?

DUNN: No. There is no difference of policy. There is complete agreement among the three big powers on this
general issue.

MAOLEISH: Mr. Murchy, there have been criticisms of our ocou-

pation policy as regards the use of Fasciet of ficials
locally, I have seen allegations that Fascist officials
have been left in local office in Italy, and recently a
New York newspace said that four Nazia were left in official oitions at Amohen, Is that true? If it is how do
you reconcile that with the tough policy you have both
been outlining?

religion is established. When all this 10 done, and

matters are running more or less smoothly, our occupation
forces get on to other things.

McCLEISH: You might mention some of the "other things*
MURPHY: All Nazi newspapers are closed down immediately, of

course: but as the press 10 essential. newspapers are
gradually allowed to resume publication under close super-

vision, at ter sifting out the Nazia on the staff. Licens-

ing boards will be established to supervise this whole

process.

MACLEISH There has been a great deal said and printed over
here, as you probably know, about the necessity for encouraging democratic tendencies, euch as may exist in
Germany, to provide a basis for popular government in the "If
future. One newspaper columnist put it in this way:
we treat the whole nation Be Nazie, they will react 98

Nazis. If we differentiate, we will discover differences.

MURPHY: On the contrary, in Anchen we have systematically removed not only Nazi party members but others known to be

&

possible, no I BAIC a moment ago. Complete freedom of

hostile to the Allies, When we reconstitut the administration, few Nazie were swittingly left in of fice,
but I was assured just bef ore I left BRASF that they had
been removed. or course, you' got to consider this:

it sometimes takes our combat commanders a little time
to and out who the Mazie are. And for military purposes, it

is necessary to keep the utilities and important factories

running.

MACLEISH: We all understand that military needs must be met
first, But are such temporary measures discontinued as
soon as they can be?

MURPHY: Yes, absolutely. They are purely temporary. Our
policy is definite and unequivocal. Ve intend to have
no truck with the Nazia, or with people known to hold
Pan-German theories, for that matter. The two usually
go hand in hand

MACLEISH: Pan-Germanien-- by that I understand you to mean the

theory that it is Germany's destiny to expand to take in

Germane everywhere in the world and oreate a German superstate--Pan-Germaniem 16 classed with Nazion as a dangeroue doctrine, then?

MURPHY: It 18 one of the basic Nazi theories. In a way it is

even more dangerous than Nazion, in that it goes back such
farther, and has inspired German aggression time and time
again.

MACLEISH: Can you give us A quick fill-in on the way the AMG
that 18, the Allied Military Government program operates
in occupied German territory? I assume there's nothing
secret about it, since General Eieenhower himself has
broadcast it to Germany. I imagine you had a hand in
that, as political adviser to General Eisenhower.

MURPHY: Well, the first step of the Allied forces on noving
affiliated
into 8 new place 16 to dissolve all Nazi and
organizations. Our forces revoke all Nazi laws which
discriminate against recial minorities and anti-Nazis
generally, They also get rid of the Nazie in
all official posts as seen
possible
as

Do you agree with that, Mr. Murphy?

MURPHY: Well, Mr. MacLeigh, I don't think we should be too
optimistic about the early discovery of many "democratic"
Germane. After a dozen years of Nazi rule, there's not

much left to build on. But we are trying. We are encour
Aging the trade unions to organize again. Eventually, I
believe, we should make it possible for some of the
workers in the mines and factories to participate in their
management.

MACLEISH: That would be a forward-looking policy by anybody's
book. But how about political organizationa?

MURPHY: Our only move 80 far 18 to outlew all Nazi political
organizations Eventually we expect to see the political
parties which were dissolved by the Nazie stage R comeback. But that would be presature now because of the

military situation. It will have to be done gradually.

Local self-government will have to come first.
MACLEISH: We started out to talk about the military government.
But some of these plans you mention are long-range plans.
They obviously won be put into effect until the war is
over. Are these techniques and objectives to be carried
over, then?

MURPHY: Yes, the day-to-day experience we are getting now will
be the basis for the policy JO will develop when we march
into a defeated Germany to occupy the American Zone. The
Army 10 already training several hundred officers in England and France - the United States Group Control Council
to take charge in our occupation zone. They will work
with the Allied Control Commission which will be not up in
Germany.

MACLEISH: You are political adviser to that group, as well as
to SHAEF, I understand.

MURPHY: That's right.
MACLEISH: When

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MACLEISH: When the Germany Army is beaten, Mr. Murphy, do you

expect the Nazie to organize underground resistance? Some

writers have gone 80 far as to predict that they will break
up into guerrilla bands and take to the hills.
MURPHY It's impossible to tell at this stage just what will
happen. We do expect to have a good deal of trouble with
the Germane even fter they surrender. The fanatical Nazie
will probably give us trouble for some time.
MACLEISH: When the occupation comes, it will of course be
shared among the four occupying powers. Now, to what extent have detailed plane been drawn up for that, Mr. Dunn?
DUNN: Well, there has been an understanding Among the nations
as to the general location of the occupation zones. And
there has been agreement on the type of central control
machinery which will govern Germany -- the Allied Control
Council.

MACLEISH: Do you think that very large American forces will
have to be used over a long period of time, or will we
be Able to depend on the European nations around Germany
to do the policing? The public opinion polls show that
most of us are willing to have American troops stationed
in enemy territory for some time after the war. But one
Colorado newspaper has remarked, The policing of Germany
10 a job for which sufficient European forces exist and

which will be better done if those forces are used. What
about that, Bob?

MURPHY: of course, when the collapee or surrender of Germany

takes place, there will be very large America forces in

Germany. The size of the Americ army remaining in Germany
thereafter, for the purpose of carrying out our responsibilities no to German diearmament and control. would depend

on two things. One 10 the time we will need effectively to
carry out our part of the job; the other is the necessity
for the use of as many American troops as possible in the

Far Eastern war.

MACLEISH: How long do you think Germany will probably have to
be occupied? There have been some published guesses that

it will take a million men 10 to 20 years to occupy and

clean up Germany. Would you care to make a guess of your
own?

o

-10-

DUNN: It's absolutely impossible to make any predictions as to
actual time periods in connection with occupation. One
thing is certain: it will be necessary to keep Germany
under control for A great many years in order to insure
that the doesn't rebuild her arnament and start up her

militaristic activities all over again. As to how long it
will be necessary for those controls to be imposed and
maintained by a large military force, and after that how
the controls would be continued
in the form of polioto say
long ing, it 10 absolutely impossible at this time. But It
will depend on how much trouble the Germans give us.

after the tapering off of military control, it will still

be necessary to control manufacturing, and in fact the
whole economy.

MACLEISH: And what would that require? A corps of civilian
observers?

MACLEISH: Then there is the question about the division of
Germany into three or four parts. Several writers have
suggested that, Jimmy.

DUNN: The answer to that will depend on the final decision of
the United Neti as to the most effective neene of preventing Germany from again becoming . war-making nation.

That' the prime consideration
MURPHY: It's not impossible, of course, that there may be .
movement inside Germany to divide the country. If such
tendency occurs and the Allies find it to be in the interest
of long term securi ty and the future peace, they MAY encourage and approve such A development. This question

naturally is of the longer range variety. It should be

answered in accordance with what seems to us to be our
best interests, and the best interests of Europe 88 a whole.
MACLEISH: A woman out in Wisconsin has written to nok: Will
the Austrians be treated differently from the Germane
proper? Jimmy will the fact that Germany annexed Austria
by threat of violence influence our treatment of the
Austriane?

DUNN: Yes. But whatever type of system or control 18 put into
effect, we must not get the idea that that is the solution:
t is going to require continued vigilance on the part of
this country and the world to see that Germany does not
again rearm. No matter what system we adopt, we ve got to
be on the alert to prevent a new growth of German militar1sm. Don' t you think so, Bob?

MURPHY You right. We should be wary of putting our entire
confidence in any particular plan of control, as such. We
should always bear in mind the importance of Allied unity
in dealing with the German problem, and the importance of
vigilance in maintaining whatever system of control the
Allies put into effect. That system must be sufficient to
reach into the economy of Germany for the purpose of preventing military production and rearnament. But, whatever
system of control 10 adopted the most important element 16
that there should be back of it informed American public
opinion and . continuing interest by our people in this
problem.

MACLEISH: Do

DUNN: The Governments of the three big powers made a declaration
at Moscow in 1943 in favor of the re-establishment of the
independence of Austria. They also added that the action
taken by the Austriane themselves in liberating Austria
would be taken into Account, in determining the status
Austria would have after the war. We have reminded the
Austriana of that again recently.
MACLEISH Suppose the Austrians want to continue Anschluss
that 18. union with Germany - for economic reasons. Would
the policy you mention rule that out?

DUNN: I should think Anachluss would be definitely ruled out,
Archie. Austria would not be combined with Germany in any
way. within the foreseeable future, at any rate.
MACLEISH: There has been some controversy, as you gentlenen know,

over just how Germany should be controlled economically.
The alleged proposal that most of Germany's industry be
destroyed and Germany be reduced to en Agricultural country
has

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identify a school toacher as A member of the Negi Party or
to determine what affiliation he or the might have had with
Nazi organizations, such as the Store Trooper or the HITLER
JUGEND. This will require oareful and patient screening
over a considerable period of time.

has been the biggest storm denter. Most of the press. and
public opinion generally, has opposed it. But a great all
majority of the public favors stripping Germany of
industry she might conceivably use for war purposes.
DUNN: There's no doubt that will be done. The Yalta Declaration saye. 'It 16 our inflexible purpose. to eliminate or
control all German industry that could be used for military

MACLEISH: The main problem is other German re-education should
be left to the Germans themselves or whether Allied supervision will be necessary.

production.
MACLEISH: Some commentators over here have pointed out entirely that in

MURPHY: I believe that unquestionably the Allies must supervise
this delicate operation.

DUNN: Under the Orimen Conference decision, the matter of re-

MACLEISH: According to one public opinion poll, two-thirds of
Americans favor some sort of allied supervision over German
education after the war.

view of war damage, German industry will be almost
destroyed. In view of this, what about reparations?

parations from Germany was left to a commission to meet Burcau in
Moscow. Isador Lubin, who has long been head of Labor, the 10

DUNN: I should thing we would certainly want to keep an eye on
the reeducation process. That will be essential if we ever
expect to see a democratic Germany emerge from the occupa-

of Labor Statistics in the U. S. Department of
to be the American delegate to the Commission.

tion period. But to bring that about - we'11 have to find

MACLEISH: Now we come to one of the toughest questions the Germane. we have

or train Germans to do the main job.

A recent opinion survey aboved that Americans believe, won't be by

majority of more than two to one, that there to
, of the right kind of Germand within Germany about

o

'enough reeducate the people along democratic lines. How

c

got

to

denl

with

post-war

In the Pacific there 10 such more fighting still to be done.
But, Jimmy, you might at least touch on our policy toward

that, Jimmy? Are MR going to be able to reeducato the

Germane?

MACLEISH: Now, gentlemen, we have spent virtually A11 of our
time on Germany, which 18 appropriate
enough,
sincenear
we' vo
future.
very
the
in
Germany
a

to deal with - that 10, the reeducation of

=

Japan.

DUNN: I would any that this 10 one of the most important problemp we have before us, because control and elimination of
the war-makingthe
power
of Germany
won' beGermany
ufficient tofor
all inrebirth
of a militaristic

DUNN: Well, Archie. our plans are much less advanced where Japan

is concerned. We have to take first things first. Then,
too, very little can be said about long-range plane for

sure
that field
will
time.against
I thinkbroad
this problem,
10 veryone
in the

Japan, for military reasons. The Japanese propagandists
would distort anything we might say.

to be ven very careful study by exporte make

have education. A program of recducation which would It

MACLEISH: of course, some things are A matter of record. Our
stand on unconditional surrender applies to Japan 18 well

Germany of the
a peace-loving
nation must be instituted. seens
two most important espects of the long range

ns Germany.

to treatment me that of Germany are the reeducation of the Germane and

the reestablishment of the rights of labor.

DUNN: Yes. We'11 have no more truck with the Japanese militarista than with the Nazic. Ag for back as December 1943,

MACLEISH: A radio forun I heard recently came to within the Germany; conclusion

the Cairo Declaration made it clear that 'the three Allies
will continue to persevere in the serious and prolonged
operations necessary to procure the unconditional surrender
of Japan. President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill

that reform of education should come from inter-

that such reform should be made " part of an
but national program of cooperation, through an international
of education. In the light of your experience, should 80

and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek said that.

office far, Bob, do you have any ideas on how reeducation
proceed?

MACLEISH And the same United Nations lenders also announced

at Cairo that Japan will be stripped of every bit of terri-

0

MURPHY: Well, to begin books with, must Archic, be eliminated all Nazi in teachers, the early teach- period

ings, and text Schools will be closed temporarily until have
of necessary control. adjustments of faculties and text books been
effected.

pendence "in due course* which presumably means as soon as

they are in a position to govern themselves. What can you
add to that, Jinny?

MACLEISH: Will there be enough Germans who are democratic and

anti-Nazi to fill the teaching Joba?

who

MURPHY: That 10 a tough question. In the Archen school area. teachers it was

only a small percentage of the of the

found that members of the Nazi Party Some

remained were not offered their services to the Military
local Germane authorities, who proposing to carry out a program
Government of education adapted to liberal ideas, were found always to be of to

exceedingly doubtful origin. It will not be eney

identify

tory she has taken by force of arms. since she started on
the warpath back in the 1890 8. Formoon and Manchuria will
be restored to China, and the Koreane will get their inde-

DUNN: Well, as Under Secretary Grew has and "There can be no
peace anywhere in the world until the Japanese, as well as

the Nazi enemy 10 laid low. If the registance on Iwo
Jime is any criterion, e've still got a big job on our

hands to defent Japan on her home islands and on the mainland. Once Japan 10 beaten, she will of course be completely demilitarized, like Germany.
MACLEISH: One

-14-

MACLEISH One question that our correspondents show a lot of
interest in 1s: What 18 our policy toward the Japanese

C

271

270

-13-

VOICE #11 How 18 the Good Neighbor Policy related to the Monroe

0

Doctrine?

Emperor?

VOICE #2: What 18 this Economic Charter for the Americas that
came out of the Mexico City Conference

DUNN: Mr. Grew has told the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-

tions that no one is in a position to determine the postwar
position of the Japanese Emperor at this stage of the game.
would like to say this - certainly neither the State

VOICE #3: What about Argentina?

Department nor Mr. Grew is defending the Emperor's posi-

ANNOUNCER: This program came to you from Washington, D. c.

tion.

This is the National Broadcasting Company.

MACLEISH: What this all seems to oome down to 10 the conclusion

that our plans for the treatment of Japan, like the end
of the Japanese war itself, are still in the future. So

far as Germany is concerned, however, we seem to be able

to make some pretty precise statements. I would sum them

up in this way. First, we are definitely committed to the
policy of unconditions surrender. We believe that Nagian
can only really be destroyed and the war really won on
that basis We believe the great DA jority of the Americ
people feel the BADE way.
Secondly,
itonly
is not
our
purpose
who
the
gangs
but
of
to

destroy

the

people

Germany

have nie-go verned, mis-managed, and nisled then. That
means that we propose to punish -- and really to punish

the guilty war leaders and their tools and agents. Third,
our whole policy for the occupation of Germany is policy
aimed at stamping out Nazi controls at every point. We
don' know how long it will be necessary to occupy Germany
in order to undo the evil work which has been done there.
but we propose to stay with the job until it 10 finished.

0

We believe, however that something more than the destruction of the physical power of Germany to make war will be
required. We feel that the German people must themselves

change their point of view about their relation to the
rest of the world. This we think 10 one of the toughest
probleme with which we are faced. It 18 tough because it
is part of the larger problem of the future reintegration
of the German people into the community of mankind.

ANNOUNCER: That was Archibald MacLeigh, Assistant Secretary of

State in charge of Public and Cultural Relations. With
him were Assistant Secretary Janee C. Dunn, who is in
charge of European, Near Eastern, and Far Eastern Affairs,
and Ambasandor Robert Murphy, Political Adviser to General
Eisenhower. This WILLS the fifth of seven programs on the
probleme of Building the Peace, featuring top officials
of the Department of State. Copies of this broadcast or

e by

writing of all seven to the State Department Department of State, programs Washington may obtained 25, D. C.

These programs are part of a larger series on Our Foreign

Policy, arranged by NBC' University of the Air. Starting

Next week at this same time you will hear . discussion
of America's Good Neighbore in Latin America, Archibald
Macleish will be back. With him will be Assistant Secretary
of State Nelson Rockefeller, who is in charge of American

Republic Affairs. Mr. Rockefelle recently returned from

the Inter-American Conference on the Problems of War and
Pence at Mexico City, AB did Mr. Avra Warren, Director of
the Office of American Republica, who will also be on the
program, and our Ambassador to Cuba, Spruille Braden, who
will speak from Havana. They will answer such questions

as these:

VOICE #1: How

0

$

on April 14, NBC will present members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, after which the Series will be moved
to San Francisco for the opening of the United Nations Conference on April 25.

272

273
0

HAPCL 23, 1945

March 23, 1945

by dear Mr. President:

FROM:

1 thought you would be inter-

10:

eated in some of the editorials which

SECRETARY MORGENTHAU

Mr. white

Mr. Luxford

have been appearing recently in favor
From an unimpeachable source in Ohio, I have

of bretton Woods.

been informed that Senator Burton, of Ohio, is favorable
to bretton Woods.

Yours sincerely,
(Signed) H Morgentheu, Jr.

The President,
The white house.

(
Messenger Kinard Senaral #:30 am

275

274

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

aarch 23, 1945

WAR FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR OHIO
STATE HEADQUARTERS

UNION COMMERCE BUILDING

GLEVELAND OHIO

Dear Phil:

March 19, 1945

Many thanks for your note

about Senator ourton. it is most
encouraging.

Sincerely yours,
Dear Henrys

(signed) contr

Through . reliable source in Washington, that
2

I am not at liberty to quote, I have been informed
that Senator Burton, of Ohio, is favorable to Bret-

I

ton Woods. This is for your personal information.
Sincerely yours,

Mr. Philip J. Trounstine,

Phil

536 Union Connerce building,

Cleveland, 14, Ohic.

Phil J. Trounstine
The Honorable Henry Morgenthau, Jr.

Secretary of the Treasury
Washington, D. C.

NT/eb

PRECISION

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March 23, 1945

My dear Senator:

I have read with great interest the speech

you made in New York on February 18, which

Senator Pepper had printed in the Congressional
Record of March 8.

You made a most convincing statement of the
reasons why we must have machinery to prevent

economic as well as military aggression. Your
reference to the Bretton Woods proposals was
particularly pleasing to no since my impression
of the American Bankers Association report is
quite similar to yours.
We enjoyed very much having you with us
last week when the (11 short was produced.

With personal regards, I -

Sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr.

Honorable Wayne L. Morse

United States Senate

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EXTENSION OF REMARKS
HON. CLAUDE PEPPER

PRECISION

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International Security
EXTENSION OF REMARKS
HON. CLAUDE PEPPER
SEXATE OF THE UNITED STATES

PRECISION

ADE MARK

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278

3/23/45

0

Mr. Luxford
Secretary Morgenthau

was pleased to see in the New York leaving Times that the

I Wagner was credited with saying on

White Senator House that Bretton Woods would pass same

RECISION

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NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE - March 23, 1945

279

Florida

11Philadelphia

Bankers Back
Bretton Woods
See Chance for U. S. to
Leads Fraser Criticizes
Stabilization Fund Plan

11Philadelphia
(Confirmed from page one
Isaac

Trust 4 the Company Philadelphia Savings Boberts Pind

Archie D Swift the

A the Associated Preta

National National Bank

PHILADELPHIA March 22.
memorahous

Lee. the Westers

recommending

Society

authorisation of the Bretter
agreements setting ve Market

International monetary fund and
as International bank for recon-

struction and development was
forwarded Congress today by
the heads of eleven of Philadel
phin's major banks

Logan

Provident

the

Medico

Bank and Trust

and Evan Handolph of
National Bank

Other high lights of the mm

The bankers who signed as to

dividuals rather than the heads

with

of their Institutions MADE the BeetWoods

too

mont

give

proposals
reasonable

"in

our

rates

tate

other

promise

avoiding the major financial FORM committed after the last war.

supects

problems will larget)

upon mutual understand
and

We believe the agreements

willingness

by

by

first to

carn out the

vide fair basis for effective

financial collaboration among the

chairs

United Nations counterpart

social

collective security in the political

the memorandum -

the ungen for mutual

used

The memerandum was signed by

William Palton Kurta of the
Pennsylvania Company for Insur-

ance - Lives and Granting An.

multies David . Williams, the
Corn Rachana National Bank

Neward Losh chairman

Trademark's National Bank

- E One of the

Confinance page 22. colores

detreas

was have clearly
United States now has
portanity

leadership

exert

more united and

world Even though
might
the

SPECIAL

Florida

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

281

280

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE

DATE 3/24/45

March 23, 1945.
TO

Mr. Fuseell

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau
Mr. Luxford

Secretary Morgenthau

You inquired about the Board of Governors coming out
for an advisory committee in their Bretton Woods report.

Mrs. Morgenthau says that yesterday's Tribune had &

story on the front page about the Philadelphia bankers

Governor Saymozak has been checking with me frequently

regarding the timing of the Federal Reserve report.
Although we have discussed this on and off over the last
two or three weeks, he never mentioned to me that they
were incorporating the recommendation for an advisory
committee (although, of course, we always knew that they
had not given up this idea and that Eccles would probably
include It in his oral testimony when he testified).

coming out for Bretton Woods. I would like to have
that clipping

this morning. sliffing attached

In any event, Elliott Thurston, Assistant to Eccien,

cailed me Tuesday morning and said that they were about
ready to release their report. Yesterday morning when
I went to the Hill, Congressman Spence called me aside
and showed me the Board's report and inquired whether it

was okay with us if he inserted it in the Record. I told
him that I did not know its contents, and knowing only
that it was favorable, I would appreciate it if he would
give us until noon to check it. He called my attention
to the Board's recommendation for an advisory council and
said that in his opinion the proposal would not narm us.
I called Mr. White's office at once and advised them of
the Board's action recommending an advisory committee and
requested that as advise me before noon as to whether be
wanted to do anything about it. Later in the morning he
called me and both of us agreed that there was nothing we
could do about the Board's recommendation and that we would
not object to the report being introduced by Spence and
I advised Spence accordingly.
0

I

283

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

282

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

0

-2-

DATE

March 23, 1945
TO

I don't think that the Board's recommendation for an

advisory council at this time is prejudicial. There is a

FROM

Secretary Morgenthau
Mr. Luxford

strong sentiment for a council of this character and Jesse
Wolcott has told me several times this might be one of the

For your information

points on which we could compromise Republican pressure.

Miss Dorothy Lewis of the Woman's Division of the
National Association of Broadcasters, thought you would

be interested in the material that her group is using on
the United Nations and also in the attached map showing

the location of their various outlets. I told her that
I would return the map to her when you had had an
opportunity to examine it.

Attach.

285

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

-2-

0

C

WASHINGTON

March 23, 1945

Secretary Morgenthau

TO:

FROM: E. B. Pussell

Subject: Newspaper reports on income tax investigations
The United Press story on income tax investigations is made up
from these sources, stated chronologically
1. The Secretary's statements at his press conference, which
opened the subject.

2. Supplementary material given the reporters by Irving Parlmeter
relations staff, who had accompanied Mr. Trey to Florida,

for the of seeing that attention be

of
the press purpose
Mr. Perimeter
Florida
papers. should was contacted given the by investi- the rethe
gation
by

imediately following the press conference. Material provided
the statement that $50,000

porters
by him included had been collected other is
delinquent taxes (principally fur, jewelry, cabaret and excise

taxes) and statements attributed to "an agent" that one vacationist

had lost $40,000 in an evening and that $10,000 had changed hands on

a single roll of the dice. Material provided by Mr. Perimeter was
substantially what had been printed previously in Florida.

3. A general discussion with Mr. Irey, after approval by Mr. Coffeit
Public Relations. Mr. Trey confirmed that the investigations
would be carried on is "all big pleasure and spending centers." The
of

mention of Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle as such

cities originated with the reporter (Mr. Gregory).

A liberal amount of imaginative writing on the part of the re-

4. e.g., "the biggest drive of its kind is the nation's history"
porter, "overshadowing the prohibition are campaign which trapped A1 Capone.

Some supplementary material. The "Federal fiscal authority
5. the Treasury Department' who estimated the Government was being
chested not is of 3 to 5 billions by big tax synders was Marriner Eccles who
some such off the record estimate in a recent press conference. and

made references to free spending and luxury living at Miami, etc.,
PERJICTORY

The "you would never know there was a WIT on* probably came from Look
Magazine.

The Associated Press story, as carried is the Herald Tribune,
it.
much milder and I do not see how any exception can be taken to
Incidentally, the A. P. desk because much interested after the U. P.
version broke and asked the A. P. mm to expand his 400 word story
to 800 words. He added considerable verbatin material from the press
conference and then the A. P. expanded its coverage further by carryis

ing story under Kieni dateline. Peculiarly, when the story broke
in Miami two or three weeks ago, at the time Mr. Trey was there. is

414n't get out of that circuit (Florida-Georgia territory). But

the

mention at the press conference made it a national story. And the

fact that it was brought up at the press conference. is turn, was probably due to the fact that Mr. Irey and several others were coming out

of the Secretary' . office just as the reporters were going in for the
press conference. Mr. Irey's Miami trip was referred to by Mike Flynn
and the other reporters heard the reference.

Mr. Irey, incidentally, .... no barn in the stories and thinks
they may accomplish good, though be agreed that the United Press story
was overwritten

I do not see that any blame is attached to anyone in the Treasury.
So far as the United Press MAD is concerned, he aboved more enter-

prise than good judgment and did too such imaginative writing.

I have had . friendly talk with him, along this line - that the

custodian of the nation's money and only inei-

and
Treasury dentally is a police primarily
agency, that the exaggerations that could be

condoned on a police run aren't exectly appropriate when applied to the

Treasury. I an convinced that be is not an intentional trouble maker.

287

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

286

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
Date

3/23/45

Mr. O'Connell

TO

Secretary Morgenthau

March 23, 1945

FROM Joseph J. O'Connell, Jr.

Secretary Morgenthau

I do not believe there was any unreasonable
delay in handling the names Elmer Irey sent up
from Miami.

remember In the report you gave me from Elmer Irey, If

up I correctly he said he sent a lot of

It of course, necessary to check the

on the 28th of February When I was in Non names

names
the a
time.
In the names
were
to

received I got the impression from McQuillan that he had York,

records out was, in to the Bureau field, here which before took sending little the

the Miami names. Why did it take so terribly just

Mr. sent
to on
of the names went agents

long the time Irey sent them up until were

let
in the field?
Please
intoit and
distributed
from
havelook
they

March any McQuillan and event, all were which him to the special forwarded 6th of

me a report not later than Saturday morning.

0 camell repeated tisting

in the field on either the 6th or 7th.

0

Help289

288

0
3/23/45
March 23,1945.

Commissioner Nunan

Secretary Morgenthau

Confidential

I wish you would have 8 confidential talk with

:

FROM

Mr Nanes

Mr.Houghteling who expressed a desire to study the matter

his opinion. Ha

further
giving
saidweek
he he
thought would the let
know
thebefore
early part
of next
whether
suggestion would be beneficial or not. As soon as be does

in and I would only he
by the unions file-

Secretary Morgenthau

Pursuant to your pero of this morning I had a conference with

Lawrence Houghteling over at War Bonds who looks after

labor unions, and ask him what be would think of
our taking it up with some of the unions in New York in the stores
and let them spread the word around that there is a
giving information. I have great confidence
talk to him about It today before
and
he could
you howPlease to approach do it if the
reward approved you
Lawrence
go for up,tell
it. Houghteling,
unions if he agrees that it would be a good thing.
I know that all the stores in New York are organized

TO:

I will advise you as to his conclusion.

0

as

291

Residentted 3/23/45 230

-20

$

October 1943

present statutory setup dating back many years. Such a program of

consolidation, while highly desirable, would result only after a long
TO:

The Secretary

FROM: Mr. Gaston

There have been a number of factors responsible for considerable

period of legislative adjustment. The second approach would be to
strengthen, expand, and more clearly define the authori ty and

functions of the Chief Coordinator of the Treasury enforcement

change in our enforcement activity in recent years. These changes,

agencies to an extent contemplating full executive and administrative

many of which have occurred since you created the Office of the

control over all enforcement facilities. In weighing the practical

Chief Coordinator April 9. 1942, arise from: Repeal of the 18th

aspect of these two possibilities it seens clear that for immediate

amendment and the effect of this repeal on the Alcohol Tax Unit;

action the second program should be pursued, bearing in mind that at

changing conditions in Customs resulting from war activity; creation

the opportune time in the future the necessary legislative changes

of Foreign Funds freezing and policing of financial transactions of

should be proposed to the Congress and their enactment urged.

the enemy and Nationals; greater protection of the President arising

Though lacking in a specific enumeration of powers, the instruments

out of hazardous trips made by him and an accompanying sharp decline

of authority under which the Chief Coordinator is now operating appear

in counterfeiting; illicit use of parcotics at Military campa; and,

broad enough to embrace many functions not heretofore undertaken.

fraud possibilities inherent in complicated and technical changes in

Under the terms of my memorandum of May 9, 1942, which bears your

our income tax sources. These changes emphasize the need for a more

effective and coordinated control of our enforcement activities, which
I should like to recommend for your consideration and approval at this
time.

approval, the Chief Coordinator may request all enforcement agencies

to submit important case investigations for his review and in the

light of his authority to "Perform such other duties" he might
direct any alterations or improvements in the handling of cases that

The further coordination of the Treasury Department law enforcement

activities can be greatly improved along two possible approaches. On

appear to him necessary in the discharge of Treasury responsibilities.
In the course of advising individual agency heads on matters

the one hand, it is logical that all Treasury enforcement activities

of policy, organization and personnel, he is clearly authorized to

should be centralized in one organizational unit. This would involve

recommend policy changes, procedural improvement and personnel

changes in appropriation legislation and organic statutes, but would

standards. Likewise, be may exercise final authority on proposed

eliminate expensive duplication and overlapping of effort under the

PRECISION

TRADE MARK

293
292
C

-4-

0

-3separately or specially as may seen appropriate in the
personnel changes involving administrative positions. No qualifi-

judgment of the Chief Coordinator.

cation is placed on this authority as delineated in the May 9th

2. Recruitment of all investigative personnel.

memorandum. However, there is actually divided responsibility and

authority and it is believed that a specific enumeration of the

3. Training, including orientation of new recruits and
refresher instruction for all enforcement offices.

activities and authority would make for more effective coordination

4. Uniform classification of investigative personnel

and better understanding between the Chief Coordinator and the heads

based upon the Classification Act of 1923, and review

of the enforcement agency services.

of recommendations for promotion or change of assignment.

Under the heading "Such Other Duties in the Interest of
Coordination" the Chief Coordinator appears to be given blanket

license for initiating and administering programs of coordination

5. Disciplinary action, including separations affecting
investigative personnel.

6. Assignment of personnel between the several investigative

in the entire area of Treasury law enforcement. Ideally, a police

agencies in whatever manner deemed appropriate by the

force operating within one Federal agency should function as a

Chief Coordinator, and authority to call upon enforce-

closely knit, integrated organization regardless of the fact that

ment agency heads for the detail of personnel as may

many separate statutes and regulations fall under its jurisdiction.

be required.

While local administration in matters in which the individual agency

7. Assignment of office space for field offices where such

specializes can well be left to separate administrative heads, it

action will facilitate closer coordination of Treasury

is important to recognize that centralization of certain management
and control functions would lead to more effective coordination.

enforcement activities, including authority to consolidate,
establish or abolish field offices.

The Treasury program of coordination might be vastly improved by

8. Authorization of the use of joint telephonic, stenographic

placing in the Chief Coordinator's immediate office responsibility

and other service facilities, including the coordinated

and final authority for the following administrative functions:

use of automobiles wherever feasible.

1. Exercise of executive supervision over all investigations
with unqualified authority to conduct any investigation

TRADE MARK

MICROSTAT

MICRFM

ROLL NO.

295

294

-5-

-6-

0

C

9. Executive supervision over all organizational and
procedural changes proposed for Treasury enforcement

money should be a secondary consideration when planning or imple-

agencies.

menting a coordinated program of enforcement work.

10. Review and approval or disapproval of budget estimates

covering investigative personnel and other services.
Doubtless any move to reinforce the coordination program will
raise major questions of policy concerning agency specialization
and control of appropriated funds. For example, the Bureaus of
Customs and Internal Revenue may argue in the case of Customs Agency

Service and the Intelligence Unit that'the activities of these
agencies are so closely bound to the broader function of tax collecting

that they cannot satisfactorily relinquish control of any phase of
administration Likewise, it may be urged that the lack of control
over appropriated funds renders the Coordinator impotent to exercise
a beneficial control over the separate enforcement bodies.
As arguments against coordination, these contentions have little
validity. The common denominator of all enforcement agencies is the

fact that their singularly outstanding job is the prevention and
suppression of criminal violations of statutes. For this reason
enforcement offices have more in common wi th other enforcement

offices than with their parent organizational body. They are all a
part of one policing force which is presently broken into separate
C

organizational units. By the same token, the source of operating

It may well be argued that the autonomous nature of the several
separate units dissipates the strength of the Treasury Department's

law enforcement activities. Few, if any other, Federal agencies
operate with investigative staffs divided 80 completely as ours.
While specialization any be a consideration, it seems significant
that the Federal Bureau of Investigation handles investigations
arising under an extremely wide variety of statutes. The same is
true of the Inspection Service of the Post Office Department. The

Treasury Department is hardly willing to admit a lack of versatility
on the part of its investigative agents.
In point of fact, many investigative activities now performed
by Treasury offices cause them to work jointly with other Treasury
enforcement agencies. For example, it is not COMMON for a Customs

agent to initiate a case which is later turned over to a Narcotics
man. In a broader sense, it should be recognized that even the
Bureau of Internal Revenue does not, with its enforcement agencies,

undertake all investigations incident to protecting the Internal
Revenue as evidenced by the fact that the sections dealing with
narcotics are administered by the Bureau of Narcotics. Thus,
enforcement lines cannot be said to parallel major organizational
demarcations.

297

-8-

296
0

progress with little change except that the general policy and

t

It is a matter of common knowledge that at various times the
work loads of enforcement agencies are, for one reason or another,

subject to wide fluctuation. Even a cursory examination of the
Alcohol Tax Unit's activity over the past eight or twelve months
would probably show that the volume of business has declined faster

than the Unit's payroll would indicate. with the rationing of
sugar and the declaration as critical of copper, etc., the enforcement work of the Alcohol Tax Unit dropped. Though much of the alack

was taken up by an increase in permissive work, it is a fair comment
to surmise that some offices of this Unit were and are overstaffed.
Likewise, it would be interesting to know what effect the war has
had on the enforcement activities of the Bureau of Narcotics.

An intelligent program of coordination would level off the
high's and low's between agencies, providing ample staffs for those
with a heavy volume of work and reassigning employees not fully

utilized. There appears to be no other way to effectively handle
this problem than through a central coordinator's office with full
authority and responsil bility.
The fear that may be expressed by individual agencies that

they will, by the expansion of the Coordinator's Office, give up
their freedom of action in their own fields, is unwarranted. They
will, in fact, relinquish no authority which will tend to damage

( their respective services. The major portion of their work will

method of operation shall at all times be subject to the guidance

of the Chief Coordinator and further it should be his privilege to
reave completely from any enforcement unit any case which in his
judgment warrants special handling that can only be achieved by

vesting executive control at the level of the Coordinator's office.
No attempt is being made to direct the Bureau of Narcotics or
the Secret Service Division or the Alcohol Tax Unit in the manner

in which they may elect to pursue their respective responsibilities
under law, but rather an effort is being made to provide then with

a consistently high caliber of investigative personnel, and to bind
them together for the mutual aid and support of each other, based
upon the broader interests of the Treasury Department as a whole.

3/23/45

298
6. TREASURY SPECIAL PROBLEMS.
A. HOURLY AND PER DIEM RATES FOR SOME
b. CLASSIFIED RATES FOR OTHERS

1. RECOMMENDS SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 505, PROVIDING
FOR 1.15% BASIC INCREASE FOR SALARIED FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION ACT OF 1923.
D

2. NEED FOR ADJUSTMENT OF BASK SALARIES.

299

PAINTERS EXAMPLE

7. TELEPHONE INEQUITIES CONGRESS PAYS THEIR
OPERATORS $1800 BASE. WE PAY $1440.

a. NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE FOR OVER 20 YEARS

b. RISE IN COST OF LIVING SINCE 1939---30%
0. CIVIL SERVICE REPORT SHOWD THAT DURING
THE YEAR 1944, 61% OF THE FEDERAL WORKERS
CHANGED JOBS OR LEFT THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
RESULTS IN COSTLY RECRUITING PROGRAMS

8.

TWO BILLS PENDING. JACKSON BILL IN HOUSE DOESN'T
GIVE A BASE INCREASE DOWNEY BILL IN SENATE
GIVES 10% INCREASE IN ALL BASE RATES UNDER THE
CLASSIFICATION ACT.

EXPENSIVE TRAINING AND RE-TRAINING TIME,
AND LOWES EFFICIENCY AND MORALE.

d. OVERTIME PAY IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A BASE

9. WE KANT TO GET THE ADMINISTRATION OFF THE FENCE
AND ON THE RECORD IN FAVOR OF A BASE INCREASE AT
THIS TIME.

PAY ADJUSTMENT

e. PRESIDENT'S 1946 BUDGET MESSAGE CALLED FOR
"PERMANENT OVERTIME" LEGISLATION AND ,
"PROMPT REXXAMINATION OF BASE RATES".

10. DURING ECONOMY PERIOD SALARIES WENT DOWN 18% IT
IS CONSISTENT TO BRING THEM UP NOW IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LITTLE STEEL FORMULA TO RECOGNIZE THE
HIGHER COST OF LIVING.

3. CIVIL SERVICE AND THE BUREAU OF THE BUDGET HAVE
NOT SUPPORTED THE BASE INCREASE LEGISLATION BE-

CAUSE OF OBJECTIONS RAISED BY THE STABILIZATION
DIRECTOR. BUT, THE 10% INCREASE RECOMBENDED IS
IN LINE WITH THE WAR LABOR BOARD'S "LITTLE STEEL"
FORMULA AND IN HARMONY WITH THE NATIONAL STABIL-

IZATION POLICY AS ANNOUNCED WHICH PERMITS A "COST
OF LIVING* ADJUSTMENT NONE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY
THE SALARIED FEDERAL WORKER.

a. GOVERNMENT WORKERS ON PER DIEM AND HOURLY
RATES SET BY WAGE BOARDS HAVE HAD BASE
INCREASES UNDER WAR LABOR BOARD STANDARDS.

b. THE INEQUITIES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT
STRIKE HARDEST OIL THE LOWER PAID PEOPLE.
4. ALSO, THE 10% INCREASE WOULD MAKE THE GOVERNMENT'S
TREATMENT OF ITS OWN WORKERS CONSISTENT WITH THAT
GIVEN INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES.

5. NO SIGNIFICANT PAY INCREASE FOR SALARIED FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES IN 20 YEARS, EXCEPT THE INADEQUATE

OVERTIME ACT. 21.69 INCREASE FOR 20% MORE HOURS.

0

PRECISION

MICROFILM

TRADE MARK

ROLL NO.

301

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
:

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

DATE March 20, 1945
TO

Secretary Morgenthay

FROM Charles S. Bell 04

Subject: Pay Adjustment for Salaried Employees

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
C

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

During the course of the war it has become increasingly
apparent that the "white collar" Federal worker has had to
bear an unequal share of the economic burden. Basic pay rates
for salaried employees have remained virtually unchanged, not
only during the war, but for many years prior to the present
conflict. After more than three years of war, the War Overtime
Pay Act of 1943 represents the only relief that salaried workers
have been given. As you know, this Act does not establish true
overtime pay, and in even the most favorable instance the employee receives only a 21.0% increase in return for 20% more

DATE March 22, 1945.
TO

Secretary Morgenthau

Charles S. Bell
Herewith is proposal mentioned to you by Dan on pay
adjustments. I have also cleared this with Mr. Gaston,

who is solidly in back of it. If you do decide to take

it up at Cabinet. you might wish to check with Fred Vinson
and William L. Davis on their stand.

2

working hours.

This failure to establish true overtime rates or to adjust
the base rates is inconsistent with the Federal treatment of
outside industrial workers. The Overtime Act now in force for
salaried employees can by no means be regarded an adjustment to

compensate for the increased cost of living which today is reported by the Labor Department to be 30% above the level of

mid-1939. This increase in the cost of living has, of course,

worked the heaviest hardships on the lower salaried workers and

has become more acute as the war progressed and lower cost goods
disappeared from the markets.

A particularly troublesone problem has arisen from the fact
that there are many employees on the Federal rolls who are paid
on hourly or per diem rates set and adjusted to prevailing
industrial standards by wage boards. Generally, these workers
have had basic wage increases under the terms of the "Little
Steel" formula. In our own Department, employees of the
Bureau of the Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
have received wage adjustments under the War Labor Board's
policy.

(

PRECISION

TRADE MARK

MICROSTAT

-2This limited use of industrial standards has aggravated
the already bad situation where we have within the Treasury
both skilled and unskilled workmen doing identical work for
alarmingly different rates of pay. For example, salaried,
classified painters on the force of the Superintenden of
Treasury Buildings receive $1860 per annum, plus overtime,
or a gross of $2260 per annum, while painters on & daily rate
in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing earn approximately
$4000 per year. In these circumstances, it is extremely difficult to maintain a competent working force under the Superintendent of Buildings.

C

Further, union craftsmen, such as Plate Printers, have
been able to exert the necessary pressure to secure pay
increases to compensate for the higher cost of living. In
some measure the union-backed, organized "white collar'
workers outside the Federal Government have likewise been
able to gain pay adjustments. Telephone operators in commercial establishments have recently received pay increases
and those Government activities not subject to the Classification
Act have likewise raised the salary of these workers. Yet,
there is nothing we can do to remedy these inequalities for our
operators under prevailing Civil Service rulings. Thus, of all
the nation's workers, the salaried Federal employee is compelled
to suffer proportionately the greatest financial hardship.
The President recognized these inequities in his message
to Congress accompanying the 1946 Budget, stating in part,
recommend a prompt reexamination of Federal salary rates
with a view to making adjustments consistent with the national

ROLL NO.

-3I

To me, the objection that we would be setting a poor
example is very weak for the reason pointed out before
namely, the salaried employees in the Federal service have
not received the benefit of the permissible 15% increase under
the War Labor Board's "Little Steel" formula. Actually, the
present position of administration leaders does not seen to
be compatible with the President's statement asking for fair
treatment of all Federal workers.
Two bills aimed at remedying this situation are now pending in Congress. H. R. 2497, introduced by Representative
Jackson is based on the recommendations of the U.S. Civil
Service Commission and provides for significant amendments

to the Classification Act of 1923, but it fails to cover the
basic increase point. The Senate Bill, S. 595 introduced by

Senator Downey Is a companion measure except that it carries
a section calling for a 15% increase in the base rates established under the Classification Act.

Admittedly, not all of the inequalities in the pay system

of the Federal Government can be remedied by either piece of
legislation, but from our own experience in the Treasury
Department, I am convinced that the Downey Bill, if it becomes

law. will result in alleviating many of the existing diffi-

culties. There are benefits attaching to Civil Service status

which are not enjoyed by workers under the per diem or hourly
rates and, even though a 15% increase for the salaried people
may not completely close the gap in terms of wages, It Is

believed that it will so narrow it as to avoid much of the
trouble we are now experiencing.

I have learned from the Bureau of the Budget that neither
the Civil Service Commission nor the President's Administrative

Assistant on Personnel, Mr. McReynolds, recommended increasing

It seems particularly important that the Administration
support in Congress that legislation which will most nearly
achieve the result apparently desired by the President, as
indicated in his Budget message. It appears that the Bureau
of the Budget and the Civil Service Commission placed too
much emphasis on the stabilization factor when they fail to
support a basic pay adjustment. The 15% set up in the Downey

basic rates because of what seems to be the none-too-well
founded psychological objections raised by the Stabilization
Director.

policy and does no more than offer the Federal employee treatment approximating that given the industrial worker.

stabilization policy. Except for this statement, no adminis-

tration spokesman has gone on record with affirmative support
for an adjustment in the basic rates of salaried employees.

Bill is quite clearly In line with the over-all stabilization

303

MICROFILM

ROLL NO

305

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

-4

WASHINGTON

that the administration should not remain silent head

Feeling of basic increases, I am urging that you, as

on the point Department, employing approximately 95,000 people,

of a large the chief fiscal officer of the Federal Government, of

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT

and place as before the President a memorandum along the stand lines on the

attached, which recommends & strong affirmative
Senate Bill 595.

In your Budget message to Congress for 1946 you

called attention to the many inequities existing In pay

rates received by Federal workers. You recommended that
Congress enact permanent overtime legislation, and that
base salary rates be immediately reexamined with the view
toward making adjustments
compatible with the national
to compensate

We now year war

stabilization living. are policy in the fourth for of the higher and, cost in the of

light of the Federal Government's treatment of commercial
workers, it seems obvious that the time for base rate increases for salaried Federal workers is long overdue.

Early in this session of Congress bills were intro-

duced in the House and in the Senate designed to remedy
the situation described in your message. The House bill,
introduced by Representative Jackson, is based on the
recommendations of the Civil Service Commission, concurred in by the Bureau of the Budget, and does not include any provision for the adjustment of base rates.
The Senate bill, introduced by Senator Downey, is a companion measure except that it also calls for A 15% increase

in the pay rates established by the Classification Act of

1923, as amended.

and a

It is my understanding that the Civil Service Commission, and the Bureau of the Budget, did not sponsor,
supported, base
pay increase
it for to the be
reason
thathave
thenot
Stabilization
Director
considered
psycho-

logically inadvisable from the public relations point of
view. This objection was raised despite the fact that a

15% upward adjustment in base rates is clearly compatible

with the "Little Steel" formula.

(

307
306

-2MAR 1945

From my experience with a large agency employing

nearly 95,000 people, I am convinced that It is a false
economy for the Executive Branch to fail to support legislation calling for an immediate adjustment in base pay
rates. We have lost and are continuing to lose the serv-

ices of many trained and experienced people because they
cannot meet the higher costs of living under a wage pattern
that has remained virtually unchanged for over twenty years.
Expensive recruiting and training programs are but one of

the unfortunate results of this shortsighted policy.

Of all the workers in the country today perhaps no
other single group has had to bear so large a share of the
financial burden of this war as have the salaried Civil
Service employees. It seems significant to note that
during the depression years, as an economy measure,

salaried employees received a temporary reduction in base
pay, amounting in total to 15% Thus, there was established
a precedent for moving wages downward. By the same token,
an upward adjustment can be supported today in the light

of the higher price level of cost of living commodities.
It is with a view toward promoting the objectives of
good government, and decent treatment of Federal employees,

that Y an urging that the Administration go on record at
once as favoring the provisions of Senate Bill 595 calling
for a 15% adjustment in base rates.
Faithfully yours,

To All U.S.D.A. Motion Picture Depositories:

As part of the expanded visual aids program to sell

Far Bonds to the American people you recently received
supply of 1600 prints of the Farm War Bond motion picture

treiler entitled "Your Future Security.' This film was
for the Treasury as contribution to an "all out" can-

produced by the Unit ted States Department of Agriculture

peign to sell far Bonds to farmers.
To will appreciate your cooperation in giving this
film as wide distribution as possible. No doubt you
already know many of the reasons why farmers should

put

every possible dollar into Var Bonds. First of all,

farmers
America victory, needs
the will money have to help big win Far the Bond war. investment Then, after to

assure them of funds for better farming and better living.
These are bonds to win the war and secure the peace.

This is the first strictly fare Bar Bond film. It

has been produced in response to . demand from agricultural

areas for picture that would feature the special reasons
for fare buying. Shown at every rural meeting where most
motion pictures are used, this trailer should make
effective sales appeal. It will back up the splendid
work that is being done by farm Mar Bond solicitors in
every Yer Loan.

Both the Treasury and the Department of Agriculture

wish to thank you for your cooperation in distributing
this film.
Sincerely,

(Signad)

WPsmb

capital thank

309

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Date

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
Date

TO Secretary Morgenthau

March 23, 1945

TO

Secretary Morgenthau

FROM

Joseph J. O'Connell, Jr.

FROM Joseph J. O*Connell, Jr.

March 23, 1945

For your information

For your information

It is just barely possible that Secretary Ickes, in
his capacity as Petroleun Administrator, may speak to you
today about a recent decision of the Circuit Court of
Appeals involving the treatment for tax purposes of intangible drilling expenses in the oil business.
For years we have had a regulation which interprets

the law as permitting persons drilling for oil either to
spread the expenses over a period of years or to treat

them as current expenses.

The other day, out of a clear sky, the Circuit Court
of Appeals held that our regulation is invalid, and that
such treatment is too favorable to taxpayers in the oil
business. The Court held that the proper way to handle
such situations is to require the company to spread the
expenses over a period of years, thereby eliminating 8
double deduction.

Needless to say, the oil industry is up in arms.

Considering the lush treatment given them through percentage
depletion, it would seem to no that anything which tends to

subject a little more of their income to tax is net gain
from our point of view. However, Mr. Ickes may feel differently and would, I suspect, take the view that any treatment
of oil companies less favorable than the type they have been
accustomed to will practically lose us the war. The purpose
of this memorandum Is merely to acquaint you with the
general situation.

You will be interested to know that the Bureau
of Internal Revenue has ruled that amounts paid for
goods in excess of established O.P.A. ceiling prices
may not be included as a part of the cost of goods
sold for income tax purposes.
The announcement of such a policy will, we hope,
be helpful as a deterrent to black market operations
by wholesalers, retailers, and other mercantile
establishments.

PRECISION

TRADE MARK

MICROFILM

MICROSTAT

ROLL NO

311
310

MAR 23 1945

MAR 2 1945

My dear Mr. Secretary:

Further reference is made to your letter of March 3,
1944 (symbols FMA 702.0641/129) referring to correspondonce between your Department and the American Embassy in
London in regard to the advisability of proposing negotiations looking to a tax convention between the United States
and the United Kingdom, and to letter dated March 31, 1944,

from this Department in reply to your letter of March 3,
1944. In the letter of March 31, 1944, this Department
designated its representatives to participate in the suggested meeting in England looking to the adoption of such

convention.

As you are already sware such discussions took place
in England beginning In April 1944, were temporarily
suspended in July, and were reaumed at Washington in

November of last year. As a result of such discussions,
there has been developed the text of a proposed income tax
convention between the two countries. Such text, framed
in collaboration with representatives of your Department
and those of the British Inland Revenue Service and of the
British Embassy at Washington, has been carefully considered
by and found acceptable to this Department and is transmitted
herewi th with the recommendation that it be approved.
In the event that further correspondence relative to
this matter is necessary, please refer to CC:LAR:PJM:A-

My dear Mr. Secretary

Further reference in made to your letter of March 3, 1944
(symbols THA 702.0641/189). referring to correspondence between
your Department and the American Embassy in Lendes in regard to the

advisability of proposing negotiations looking to tax convention
between the United States and the United Kington, and to letter
dated March 31, 1944, from this Department is reply to your letter

of March 5, 1944. In the letter of March 31, 1944, this Department
designated 100 representatives to participate in the suggested
meeting is England looking to the eloption of such contration.
As you are already aware, and discussions took place is
England beginning is April 1944, were temporarily expended is

July, and were a at Washington is November of last year. As

. result of such discussions, there has been developed the test of
. proposed income tax convention between the two countries. Such

test. franed is collaboration with representatives of your Depart-

most and these of the British Island Revenue Service and of the
British Rabasay at Washington, has been carefully considered by and
found acceptable to this Department and is transmitted herewith with

the -ties that " be approved.

In the event that further correspondence relative to this
after is accessary, please refer to
Very truly yours,

289342-4.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Ja

Acting Secretary of the -

(Signed) H. Morgenthau, Ja
The Hosorable

The Secretary of State
Washington, D. O.

The Honorable

The Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.

Enclosure

Enclosure

File to o 'Connell

MARK

313

312
0

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY.

Memorandum for the Secretary.

March 23, 1945.
Mail Report

weeks. The ratio of favorable comment to unfavorable

is about 3 to 1, but there is still very little real
this office. A fow copies of wires or letters to

discussion of the program in the letters addressed to

From the correspondence viewpoint, the Seventh

Drive was formally opened this week. In addition to
the usual run of romotional suggestions, there were
100 replies by mail to the telegram sent on March 13
to the presidents of companies employing more than
1,000 persons. One record for the Seventh Drive has
already been set. in that only one of the 100 replies
objected to the expense of a telegram for that sort
of message. Two or three executives spoke of the necessity for reducing quotas assigned their companies,
but all in all the replies had one theme, cooperation
and success. This week there were fewer songs for use
in the Seventh, but slogans and other ideas continued
to arrive in numbers each day. One firm, a shipyard,
wired that it had already exceeded its quota for the
Drive.

For the third consecutive week there were an even
dozen complaints from families of service men whose

bonds had not been received. Series E Bonds sent to
this office for redemption rose to 22, more than half
of them bearing Kentucky postmarks.

Tax mail continued to be light and rather passive.

Non and then a business firm expressed uneasiness about

the proposed capital gains tax, and also a few individuals opposed the suggestion that interest on Government securities be treated as capital gains. Although
only 2 or 3 writers asked for 1943 refunds, this problem
is now taking on new dimensions, for there were several
pleas for return of 1944 overpayments.
Correspondence about the Bretton Woods proposals

followed exactly the same lines it has in preceding

March 23, 1945.

Congressmen were sent for Treasury Department Informa-

tion and these were all favorable.

C

314
0

General Comments

-2that our Government is so well prepared to educate
mittee and inform the people on these vital topics. Comefficient and I very much appreciate your prompt and My
response to our request for

Herbert Barry, Barry, Wainwright, Thacher & Symmers, atten-

72 Wall Street, New York City. May I call your
tion to a matter that may seem of little importance,
but which is highly important to an individual citizen,

As can assure you that it will be to
a matter
of have
fact,literature
I believegood
we sufficient
now use.
material
we put
and

and the handling of which does not impress me as reflect- matter

Women's Lawyers Guild, but also for the Committees of

of the annuity or pension for Mr. Warrington Dewson,
formerly employed in the American Embassy in Paris.

which Bar
andmatter.
the Chicago Bar Association the
are Associatio
studying this

ments and this was paid through the Embassy up to
time we entered the war. He has lived for years at
2 Rue de la Paroisse, Versailles, and has survived the
conditions of the war and the occupation by the Germans.

W. Colorado. Lewis Abbott, Colorado College, Colorado

not only for the Committee of the National

ing credit on the Treasury Department. It is the

Upon his retirement, on account of ill health, he becan entitled to an annuit payable in monthly install- the

He is, however, in frail health and needs this pension,
the payment of which is due him. . Such information
as have would indicate that the amount in arrears is
something between $2,500 and $3,000. have repeatedly asked for action to relieve this situation.*
I appreciate that it might involve some time to ascertain
the exact amount of arrears due him, but I shall invoke
good of fices to secure the prompt resumption of the

this I feel that there is need and desire Springs,

inform community for a series of talks to educate in
national the public on the plans for the Bank for and
Fund, Settlements,
the Conference.
International Monetary Interof the Brettonand
Woods
and College is considering sponsoring a program Colorado on
0

related monetary issues. and would like these

these If the Treasury Department Is providing to know

the State subjects, in a manner similar to the speakers on
Department on the Dumbarton Oaks program of

My feeling is that, at least in this part Agreement.

your monthly payments as they now become due. Formerly they

country there Is a deep ignorance in regard of the
significance out of the two plans. Some of our local to the bankers
are of sympathy with the position taken

other channel, for example, the Paris office of the

American in Banker's Association and would be interested by the

were transmitted through the Embassy and that could
still be done, although I should be glad to have some
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, which has done

such & speaker as I have suggested.

business with and for Mr. Dawson.

A. on doing C. Rowe, San Francisco, California. Congratulations

Mrs. William R. Barbour, New York City. Thank you for
very prompt reply to my request for data on the
Bretton your Woods Conference. have begun my study of the

pamphlets, which I find clear and of use to even & lay
person.

Provus, Attorney at Law, Chicago, Illinois. which I have

Ruth received the generous amount of literature
just sent me on the Bretton Woods Conference, at my reyou quest. It is most gratifying and reassuring to know

can
a fine job1with
one agree
of the with
toughest
of
undertake.
certainly
jobs aman
the Senate passing on the Bretton Woods your position

would prior to the United Nations Conference. Believe Conference this

stand have
a decided
on the delegates to our
for a real
lastingeffect
peace.

315

316
317

-3-

-4-

0

attached

Wynn Burton, Harlingen, Texas. The
copy of my letter of February 14 to Mr. Harry P.
Hornby, Collector of Customs, District 23, Laredo,
Texas, is self-explanstory. Mr. Hornby has not yet
had the courtesy to reply to it. (Re: importation of
liquor from Mexloo.) It is obvious that either the
Customs Office at Brownsville or the one at Hidalgo
has misinterpreted the law. It is my opinion that
the misinterpretation was at Hidalgo, and that it was

decision on the particular quirk of the law in
question. But even if it is right and I am wrong,

am sure that I am entitled to a decision from someone with more authority and less bias than Mr. Hyde.
And since my taxes, if wife's taxes, and my mother's
taxes are helping to pay the salaries of these
Inspectors, I thoroughly resent the flagrant discourtesy and disregard of the rights of citizens
that they have demonstrated, and that the Collector
of Customs for District 23 has shown by ignoring my
letter written to him more than a month ago.

made deliberately in order to save the personnel there

the work of filling out a few declaration forms.

I want you to know these two additional

facts In any that case, would not have brought up if the Collector

of Customs had had the courtesy to reply to my letter.

My mother went into and returned from Mexico at

Mrs. A. J. McGuire, Executive Secretary, Minnesota
United Nations Committee, St. Paul, Minnesota. May
I express my great pleasure in your talk at the
Nicollet Hotel in Minneapolis recently. We have received many favorable comments on that meeting. will

Hidalgo with friends of hers, and not with my wifegentleand
me. She is 70 years old and is in every may a
woman. Her only purchases in Mexico were & couple

of trinkets with a total value of five or six dollars.
It was her first trip across the border, and she declare had

the mistaken idea that it was not necessary to
anything except liquor, so she told the Customs
Inspector that she had nothing to declare. Before
her friends could correct her, the Inspector looked
in her purse and saw the trinkets there. She was allowed to bring in $100.00 worth, and in view of that,
it should have been apparent that she was not attemptany snuggling, I suppose the Inspector would have
been ing within his Fights in assessing a penalty for a
false declaration; but instead, he proceeded to bawl
her out and tell her that it was just such liars as
she was that made his job a hard one. His principal
concern about what he preferred to consider a dellberate
falsehood was that it caused him a little extra work.
I do not know that the Inspector referred to above was
Mr. Chester Hyde, but it sounds like him. In my conversation with him, I was particularly careful not to
make any statement that was not entirely truthful, and
although it WILD pretty difficult to do It, I managed
to control my temper. Mr. Hyde adopted a generally

C

abusive attitude toward my wife and me, and accused

us of being liars and cheats. It is my opinion
that the Hidalgo Customs Office is in error in its

0

it be possible to get 6 copy of your speech? ...
I am sending you herewith a letter which is going to
the total membership of the Minnesota United Nations

Committee on behalf of the Bretton Woods Agreement.
We have had many discussion on this and are receiving requests from all over the state for speakers on
the subject.

Dr. John P. Marble, The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. It gives me great pleasure to enclose
U. S. Government pay check In the amount of $167.88

as a further contribution. I only regret that I have

not been financially able to return all pay checks
received for war work. but I have had to hold some back
due to the necessity of paying income tax on the full
amount of my salary, regardless of the fact that the
greater portion is returned to the U. S. Government
before I receive any benefit from it. I hope that in
the course of the future I will be able to pay out
of I private income the amounts so withhold at this
time.

(

319
318

-6-

-5-

dollars. # . I cannot think of American money being
debased as it is in this enterprise ithout wanting

Ernest L. Owen, Publisher, The Post-Standard, Syracuse,

New York. T am very appreciative of your fine letter
of March 15th commending us for our editorial in The
Post-Standard of February 14th. I fully agree with
you that the public will support the Bretton Woods
Agreement if It is fully informed. The public in
this area has shown keen interest in this subject
and we expect to further elaborate on it in future
editorials.

to kick the dickens out of somebody. The average
private. after be has made his allotments, paid his
Insurance and bought a haircut at the P.X., if he
has P.X., will have certainly not more than ten or

twelve dollars left. That's about five hundred france.

*There is a way to fix it and fix it fast. If

you will find some way to pay us all in American ourrency, real American Greenback Bills, not gold seal
currency of red dot or pink smear or anything else
than just exactly the Ind we get at home, the American
soldier will help break the black market and take care
of himself very well, thank you. I do not know & man
in the A. E. F. who does not feel that his country is
cheating him and that be is being robbed of his pay.

Mrs. G. J. Martin, R.D. 2, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

If I were criminally inclined, I should make it my

business never to miss a single column of Mr. Walter
Winchell's. There, under the heading of general news,
is disseminated such items of information as the
recent one to the effect that immediately after the
war our currency will be issued under a new design,
thus invalidating hoards of cash now being piled up

by black marketeers and their fellow travelers. This

is not the first such tidbit to in Mr. Winehell's

colum, as the Secret Service must appear be only too well

aware. As a columist he is entitled to Inform his
readers of his opinions, but thoughtful people re-

member his abrupt and never fully explained discharge
from the Navy in the present War, and I, for one, am
inclined to wonder whether his own resentment over this
has made him ignore entirely the self-imposed censorship that causes other writers to suppress information
when it could be used only to the country's detriment.
Can nothing be done to stop the mn?
Senator Guy Cordon forwards the following excerpt from
a letter addressed to him by a member of the Arned Forces

in Europe: "The big thing that really troubles the
forces is the fact that, as you well know, the American
dollar here is worth less than twenty cents at the rate
of exchange. I have heard all of the many arguments

about it, but it is a senseless picture. saw & small
comb in a window the other day marked 175 francs. Just

a little, ordinary pocket comb of the twenty-five cent
variety -- 175 francs. That, my dear comrade. is four

0

PRECISION

MICROSTAT

TRADE MARK

MICROFILM

BOLL NO.

321

320
3

Favorable Comments on Bonds

Mrs. Mae N. Christensen, Route 2, Leola, South Dekota.
Accept my thanks and appreciatic for issuing a dupli-

cate bond. If I find the one I lost, will immediately
return this one to you.

Fred W. Buck, Co-chairman, St. Louis County War Finance Butler

Committee, Duluth, Minnesota. (Telegram) Walter
Shipbuilders, Incorporated, Riverside Yards, Duluth,
has reported that at 4:00 P.M., March 16, its employees
had subscribed in cash and payroll deductions $537,199
against . Seventh Loan quota of $525,000 The employees

of this firm, in exceeding their quota so early, have
again established an enviable record among industrial
firms in the country. We respectfully suggest &
national recognition for this excellent accomplishment.
It is our hope that Butler Yard Duluth may be the first
industrial plant to have met its Seventh Loan Quota.

...

George W. Kleiser, San Francisco, California. On behalf
of Foster and Kleiser Company, its various branch
managers and other personnel who have been active in
the various Treasury War Loan Bond Drives, I wish to
who
express If appreciation of the very fine telegrams
sent by you to the members of our organization as well

as to myself. I an confident that the citations will

be greatly appreciated and highly prized by those
receive them. It is a pleasure to be of assistance
to you in accomplishing the important job of financing
the war. You may count on our continued cooperation
and support.

James T. Shea, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Glasgow,

Montans. Today, we enjoyed the happy experience of
cashing two United States Savings Bonds of the maturity
value of $500 each, both purchased in March 1935. I may

be in error, but 1 believe we are among the first in

this community to so cash in any of said bonds and
immediately convert then into War Savings Bonds, for
with the proceeds we purchased one $1,000 maturity
value War Savings Bond added & little cash and purchased an additional $500 maturity value War Savings
Bond. We were proud to hav been able to do that.

323
322

-9-

10
1

Unfavorable Comments on Bonds

We have in our possession a bond which
is apparently worthless because the local Federal Reserve
Bank of San Francisco refuses to re-issue it to the
beneficiary unless and until the beneficiary produces

future.

R. Grinnell, President, Grinnell Corporation, Providence,
Rhode Island. This morning I received your telegram of
March 14th soliciting the aid of this company in furthering the sale of the "E" Bonds, and 8.8 usual you may
count upon our cooperation. But, may I ask why It is
necessary for your office to send a 119 word night letter
on a subject which is several weeks in the future?
Presumably you have sent this same night letter to thousands of other firms when a letter would have been
equally effective. Such a waste of the taxpayers' money,
coupled with the congestion of the already overloaded
wires of the country does not tend to inspire enthusiasm

a certified copy of the certificate of death of the

owner, which the beneficiary refuses to do as a matter
of principle believing that the Treasury Department
should not require the owner of a bond to go to the
expense of procuring said certificate. Inssmuch as
the Social Security Board has paid in full all claims
resulting from the death of the owner, it would appear

that satisfactory proof of death is matter of record
with the Federal Government. Particular attention
is invited to the fact that enforcement of arbitrary

and unnecessary regulations in the handling of these
securities detract considerably from their value as an
investment. It is generally believed that the War Bonds

in the collection of still further funds. This is cer-

tainly a horrible example of Government waste and in-

efficiency. If you have any explanation of the necessity
for these telegrams I should be glad to be informed of it.

C

John Johnson, Duluth, Minnesota. Your 7th War Loan sure

will be a flop, understand, unless the butcher shops get
some meat. No meat here Saturday. No chickens eggs
scarce. What in hell does Roosevelt mean by starving the
bond buyers of the United States to help out those
at
foreigners, the British and Russians? Charity begins
home. No food, no bonds -- take your choice!

P. A. Williams, San Francisco, California. ... It has

come to our attention that upon occasion when bonds were
presented for redemption before maturity the certifying

officer at a local bank refused to certify then upon the
basis that the date of issue and the date shown in the
issuing agent's stamp differed by more than 30 days. As
there have been numerous cases where delay in issuance

has been brought about by congestion in bond issuing
agencies, particularly those of the War Department, and
the bonds when finally issued bear an effective issue date
some months prior to the date of actual issue, it appears
that action should be taken to correct such action In the

0

are an investment of integrity and simplicity and that
at no time will the owner find it necessary to become
involved in red tape. If your subordinate agencies do
not exercise some discretion in the application of the
regulations, the volume of sale will be affected adversely.
Senator H. M.Kilgore - West Virginia. Mrs. Erma Hundley
of Graydon, West Virginia, informs me that she received
a check in the amount of ten dollars, payable to her son.
This boy was killed in action and the money was the
amount he had set aside to purchase War Bonds. Inasmuch

as it was not sufficient to buy a bond, the Office of

the Fiscal War Bond Division, 366 West Adama Street,
Chicago, Illinois, sent
theTreasury
money to
Hundley.
She,
to the
forMrs.
payment.
It was
that she

returned in turn, sent to her it stating would have to informs make

affidavit that she was his mother. This she
was done more than two months ago. I shall appreci-

me ate your advising me what is holding up this check and

indicating when she may expect to receive her money."

-

TRADE MARK

325

324
11

Russell A. Robinson, Attorney, Fremont, Nebraska.
Since I to unable to contact people and urge them to
purchase bonds, without being a complete hypocrite.

I wish to advise you, Sir, as Secretary of the Treasury,

that while the overwhelming body of union men are
loyal and sincere, there are many leaders. and some
unlon men. who are not sincere or patriotic, and whose

jurisdictional strikes, and similar squabbles, seriously
Interfere with the war effort. In the face of repeated
and cumulative instances of this kind the President
has never, in any way, directly criticized a leader
or union: on the other hand, he has actually praised one
whose
mortality
lies on
percent, them by referring etc. ... son,
to Ky them
as less
than one-tenth
of

Leyte, sent there by 1-. Roosevelt, did not "strike",
but he is not supported in his effort and his death
by you who condone the consistent and injurious strikes
by certain leaders and union groups. ... You know,
it you are honest, that every soldier has the same
right to "refuse" as does any striker. I shall continue to purchase bonds as have in the past, but
I shall have no part whatsoever in helping in any future
"bond drive' unt11 this hypocritical Administration
changes its tactics and makes a sincere effort to "lead"
the Country in a genuine and unpolitical campaign in
support of the war.

12 -

Favorable Comments on Taxation

the the

Joseph S. Alford, Nahant, Massachusetts. I wish to
thank you and other members of the Treasury Depart-

I have fondly hoped years

in the income tax forms clarified,
and especially that the calculations be a

ment year 1944. Instructions for the simplification in for income would reduced tax that be for the to

minimum. All these high hopes have been realized in

the tax form I completed in ten minutes tonight. I feel
that the jot you and your associates have done reflects
credit on the Treasury Department.

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327
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- 13 -

AMBASSADE DE BELGIQUE

Washington, March 23, 1945.

Unfavorable Comments on Taxation

Karl M. Davis, President, The Salina Supply Company
Salina, Kansas. As a small businessman and an American

Citizen, I am glad of the opportunity to pay all the

taxes necessary to prosecute the successful conclusion
of the war and for ordinary expenses to run the inportant and necessary branches of the Government.
the other hand, with the increasing of the useless
bureaus and office holders throughout the United States,
it is becoming quite a problem for the ordinary business-

My dear Secretary,

On

I have just arrived in Washington and would be

man. . As President of this Company and wher of
about 40% of the stock, let me say, first, that the
earnings of the Corporation are taxed to such a point any
that their net earnings left are very small. Then,

very happy to pay you a visit and chat with you for
a few minutes.

dividend paid out plus earnings are taxed again, and

I do not intend to discuss business at this

there is not much left. Just at this time am having
to borrow money to pay the income tax due tomorrow.

stage, but it would be a pleasure for me to renew

The double taxation feature is a vicious thing and
against which it is almost impossible now to start,
build and expand a small Corporation. These vicious
taxes should be adjusted and reduced, not only for the
present generation, but for the future, because if
they arent, we will become a nation of easants in
the near future and by winning the war, we will have
lost our birthright and our Country, unless some steps
are taken to safeguard the small ordinary American

o

our acquaintance, interrupted since the and of the
Bretton Woods Conference.

I am leaving for Canada, but will be back Tuesday
evening and would then be at your disposal at any
time.

businessman.

Sincerely yours,

Gutty
The Honorable Henry Morgenthau,

Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington.

(

329
SECRET

328

TREASURY DEPARTMENT

MONORANDUM FOR THE FILES

INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
DATE

Subject: Conversation in Switzerland with Mr. leXittrick,
President of the Bank for International Settle-

March 23, 1945

ments.

Secretary Norgenthau

Orvis A. Schmidt

Mr. MeKittrick called to see Mr. Currie while we
were in Switzerland during the recent negotiations and upon
learning that I, & representative of the Treasury Department, was & member of the delegation, asked to talk with me.

I thought you would be interested in the

It USD clear that Mr. WeKittrick WAS fully sware
of the nanner in which he and the BIS are regarded by the
Treasury Department. He expressed the hope, however, that
If persons In the Treasury Department understood the real
role that he and the BIS had played, this attitude night

attached nomorandum of V conversation with 1c-

Kittrick in Switzerland. I was surprised that
6 voluntary recital intended as a defense of the
BIS could be such ILD indietment of that Institution.

change.

0

Kr. VeKittrick began by explaining to me the origin
of the BIS and the role that It had played in the premar
world. He pointed out that the Board of Directors consisted
entirely of central bankers and be said that the BIS had be-

useworld.
his own
"s sort of central
year the BIS

C

central to a dinner in Easle and in other ways

Attachment

bankers come, to of bankers the words, Every club had this of invited the and and to the

had served to bring together the central bankers fuse

then into a little group of like-minded tien who understood and
trusted one another. okittrick emphasized particularly the
attitude of autual trust and confidence that had grown up
among this group and the realization held by all of then of
the importance to the group of faith in each other and of &
conduct on the part of each that would warrant this faith pecardless of the condition of the world or of the constantly
changing political relations between their respective countries.
McHittrick stated that only by understanding this
basic relationship could one understand how the FIS had been
able to survive during this mar and to conduct its affairs in
the canner In which he had arranged them. E.e then explained
that at the outbreak of the war he had personally contacted
all of the Board members of the BIS, which, of course, included representatives of countries on both sides in the war,

MICROFILM

I

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ROLL NO

331

330

and had gotten from them a vote of confidence in himself and
agreement that the BIS would be strictly neutral. The limited operations of the bank which were necessary consisted of
collecting amounts owed by various debtor .countries and the
distribution of earnings 02 its capital. These operations
and any other necessary business were to continue by having
the necessary papers prepared at Easle and then cleared by
MeKittrick personally with each of the necessary officials of
the bank. In this manner the back has continued to operate
during the past five years, and MeXittrick emphasized that in
no case had there been any disagreement with any of the operations curried on and he had never been under any duress or
pressure from any of the belligerent countries which were members of the bank. McKittrick cited as an instance of the offectiveness of his own influence an attempt by the Germans to
replace a Belgian member of the Board of Directors after the
Gorman occupation of Belgium. MeKittrick stated that he refused to permit the change and, accordingly, the original manber continued to occupy the position.
C

McKittrick had some figures showing the amounts of
payments made to the BIS during the course of the year as compared to the amounts distributed, and contended that the Gernans had paid, in Swiss france, more to the BIS than they had
received from the BIS. (As I recall, the amount so paid Was
4,000,000 Swise france or about $1,000,000.) MeKittrick thus
contended that the BIS had weakened the Swiss france position
of the Cermans by depriving them of such foreign exchange.

share the Hasi sympathies or Nazi point of view but who are
so important to the Nazia and to the management of Germany's

finances because of their technical ability that they continue to hold important positions. The existence of this
little group is the keystone in the explanation of Germany's
conduct with respect to the BIS.

According to MoKittrick, there wore probably three

factors influencing this little group in its conduct toward
the BIS. The first was the influence arising from their membership in this "bankers' club and their implicit feeling of
the importance of dealing squarely with other bankers. The
second WGB the fact that this group had felt from the beginning that Germany would lose the war; that after defeat there
would be a period of political, economic, and financial con-

funion In Germany; and that by playing the game squarely they
might in this period of confusion energe as 6 factor in shap-

ing Germany' future destiny. Thirdly, in addition to the
foregoing insiderations, this group understood that in order
to rehabilitate and reconstruct Germany after defeat it would

0

Germany.

I asked McKittrick whether he would name any of the
people who compose the little group to which he constantly
referred. The only person whom he named is 8 man named Puhl,
who is one of the two too vice presidents of the Reichsbank.
VeKittrick explained that although Funk had been made head of
the Reichsbank, he knew nothing about financial matters and

he had described and had continued to make payments to the BIS.

I made the observation that they must have felt that, for one
reason or other, such action was in their own interest. 10Kittrick's explanation was substantially as follows: In order

is only the titular head. Under Funk are two top vice pres-

idents, one of whom is a asi appointee who likewise understands
nothing about the operations of the bank and only looks after

to understand the conduct of the Germans toward the DIS, one

rust first understand the strength of the confidence and trust
that the central bankers had had in each other and the strength
of their determination to play the game squarely. Secondly,
one must realize that in the complicated Cornan financial netup certain men who have this central bankers' point of view are
in very strategic positions and can influence the conduct of
to Mc/ittrick, there is a little group in Germany who do not

be necessary that be able to float loans. This little

group of bankers felt that the role that they were playing
would maintain their contacts and trust with other important
banking elements so that they would be in & stronger position
in the postwar period to negotiate loans for reconstruction of

I asked KeKittrick why, in his opinion, the Germane
had been willing to allow the BIS to be run in the manner which

the Cerman Government with respect to these matters. According

-3-

0

matters of interest to the Party. The real operating head of
the bank is Puhl, the other vice president. Puhl was described
by MeKittrick as & career banker who had been with the Reichsbank for some twenty years, who does not share the asi point
of view, and who is the key person in explaining Germany's

attitude toward the BIS. (I night also point out that in dis-

o

cussions with the Swiss National Bank concerning their purchase

(

333
332
0

of gold from Germany, the Swinn National Bank said that in
order to be sure they were not obtaining looted old they

had requested a member of the Reichabank, whom they regarded

to be trustworthy, to certify that each parcel of gold which

they purchased had not been looted. The person who had done

this certifying was Puhl.)

During the course of the conversation, I mentioned
the gold which the Goreans had looted from occupied countries
and, at one point, asked McKittrick directly whether he knew
what had happened to the gold which the Belgians had had on
deposit with the Bank of France and which had been taken by
the Certains. MeXittrick replied that he knew where it was,
that he would tell me, but that it was of extrene importance

that word did not leak out. VeXittrick then explained that
this gold was still held in the vaults of the Reichebank;
that he was sure It would be there when the took Berlin; and

that Puhl was holding it there for return to the Belgians

after the war.

1c)Ittrick explained that the BIS had also received
payments in gold from the Germans during the war and that
when the mar U.S. over we would find all such gold carefully
segregated and documented so that any of It which may have been

looted could be readily identified. He said that when gold was
offered to the BIS be had thought that it would be better to
take the gold and hold it in this fashion rather than to refuse
it and let the Germans keep It for other uses.
McXittrick also cited BE an instance of the manner
in which bankers had kept their word with the BIS, 0 trans=

action in which & substantial amount of gold WES moved from

northern Italy to Switzerland to PAY off Italy's debt to the
BIS. According to Kokittrick, this gold had sometime earlier
been pledged to PAY off the Italian debt to the BIS. At the
time of the collanse of the Mussolini regine, the IS sent
specially to Italy one of Its own zen, who in cooperation with
the Italian Central Bank, succeeded in getting the gold to
Switzer and, where it was used to DAY off the BIS and the Swimm
National Bank. According to MeKittrick, this transfer had been
made without the knowledge of the Cornens, who probably would

have stopped it had they been able to do so.

In closing, McKittrick volunteered to stower any
other questions I night think of during the course of my stay

in Switzerland and expressed the regret that he could not invite no to come to Easle and take a look at the books and
records of that institution. Ea stated that as soon 0.8 the
sar USE over, however, he intended to threw open the books and
records to representatives of the United Nations, and he felt
sure that they would appreciate and approve of the role that
be and the HIS had played during the war.

335
Born

Dated March 23. 1945

Rec'd 9:50 p.a.

#1740

334
0

March 23. 6 P.M. from Bern

-3-

More trucks can be rented in Switzerland If tires can

be obtained: and 1 shall, of course, discuss this possibility with SHAKE : understand that ANCROSS plans ship

tires to Toules for Switserland on next boat. Could you

Secretary of State,

not square is . few - tires for ICIC...IDAI

Washington
MARRISON

1740, March 23, 4 D.
as

FOR VRS FROM NOGEKELLAND.

Department's 1090, VID's 455 Marah 16.
Afforts to secure trucks here and BOTH was parcels

from Switserland in colleberation with IGRC's Division
of Special Assistance (DSA) for massimilated persone
are now meeting with small success,

Six twelve-ton trucks are being rested from private
concern ent will be available next week to transport

relief supplies including was supplies to
and . lease area exclusively for civil detainees.
We were also able assist Stambach of Union Rabbie

rest four trucks commercially which will leave next days
for Bergea Jalaen with Jewish Faster bread and other

relief supplies.

Price such trucks 1. very high--- franc eighty
per milemeter plus esser Insurance charges but we falt "
worthwhile,

As reported in Legation's 1687. Mardh a THCA has
coded twelve wood bursing trucks now in Germany to ICHCD

DSA. These trucks have not been located is confusion but
they ought begin turn us next week.
French Government has sent 100 new three-tos Reneult

trucks to Geneva for IORC'. use. French are quite willing
that eight or tas If not more be used exclusively for
deliveries to their civil detainees if fuel can be made

available French however, can send little or not fuel
thems-Ives and present SHART deliveries are solely for

shipments to POWS.

On March as or 24 one railway car containing 1170
WRB parcels and other relief summites from Union Rabbia

and J20 will go forward to Theresienstadt and two other care
containing 4,900 WRB parcels plus JDC material will be
shipped to Vienna area. We sincerely hope they will get
through

337

336
Born

Tetanbul

Dated March 23. 1945

D

Rec'd 9:30 D.D.

Dated March 23. 1945

Rec'd 9:30 D.N.

Secretary of State,

Secretary of State,

Washington

Washington

1739. March 23, 5 D.R.

97. March 23. 4 D.M.

FOR O'IVTER WRB FROM

Please transmit the following paraphrased message

Department's 998, 133's 430, March 9 and 1090

to Moses Leavits, Joint Distribution Committee. 270

WHB' 455. March 16.

Medison Avenue, New York free Charles Passman Joint

Distribution Committee Istanbul

Henry thanks your telephone onll March 21. 1 repret

that illness prevented my going to feris immodiately on

"No. 4. Accounts for maintenance and transportation
of refugees from Istanbul to the Byrian border for cover

receipt your 998 but I was lold up with flu until March 20.

Agency.

It would be most holeful to have Kataki in Paris in
first place actively to follow up nogotiations with SHARE

months ending January 1945 have been completed with Jewish

concerning allection trucks tires and fuel for ICRC

According to bills total due 1. approximately $190,000

VRB relief and evacuation work in Germany and secondly
to accelerate crecuntion from Switzerland of "Hungerian"
group of 1672 refugees AS well AB some 700 stateless from
the Resionstadt convey. Slowness with which this has
been moving is beginning to have unfeverable reaction

after deducting payment on account. While some items are

still disputed 11 is not . question of accounting and I
will have to settle the matter is Palestine.

0

$40,000 are urgently required by Jewish Agency to

in dealines with Swiss. It is most important at this

cover its outstanding obligations here. That amount
therefore should be sent to Josenh Goldin or Arthur Fishreha.
The balance of the account is to be paid is Palestine,

critical time that at least few hundred of the refugees
be moved on AS promptly as possible in view of conceivable

arrival in Switzerland shortly of unknown numbers of now
evacuces. Katalei could the Form most valuable service as
WB limison man to hendle such matters now and in future

March 27 1 - leaving for Palestine for . short visit,

While there I shall try to settle the accounts for the

with SHAEP in France APHQ in Caborta and UNRRX.

transportation from Constance to Istanbul of refugees

by sen.

If : had comcone to do this outside work who could
assist = in Switscrined for A week or two from time
to time I could continue swinging the job at this and

THOUTHAN
REP

without need of your sending A special VEB non to assist

nc full time here.

: shall discues this whole question with Kataki
and would appreciate your opinion. Please wire no in
Paris,
HARRISON
are

Hiss Chauncey (for the Sec'y) Cohn, Dubois, Graton, Model,
Wutcheon, McCormack O'Dayer. Files,
(

o

MICROFILM

TRADE

BOLL

338

339

o
PLAIN

c
Lisbon
PLAIN

MS-813

Dated March 23, 1945
Lisbon

Ree'd 11:15 D.S.

Dated March 23, 1945

Roc'd 9:35 p.m.

Secretary of State
Washington

Secretary of State,

634, Twenty-third

Washington.

V33 365 JDC 201 FOR LEAVITT FROM HAROLD THORE.

Julius Huettner Jewish Refugee Committee
Goteborg. advises 150 Turkish Jost ex-Detect-Solson
Theresionstod ented aboard IROTTEINONOIN for Liverpool

648, Twunty-third
WBB 366 JDC 203 FOR LEWITT FROM HAROLD TROBE

for reportation Turkey. Have naked London obtain
All possible information concerning this group and

Saly advises credits placed Fildornan's disposal

their destination since possible identical with

groups 155 Sephardice deported from Athens and Salonique

amount to Skiss frones ten and one-half million. He
authorized Fildermen aid also countries bordering Rumania

o

to Borgen-Joleon in April 1944. Will keep you advised.
0

o

GROCKER

and finance Red Cross detachments and medical teams

LMS

pending arrival joint representative Bucharest.
CROCKER

RE

Miss Chouncey (for the Sec'y) Cohn, Dulloie Onston, Eodel,
Hutchison, NcCormack, O'Dwyer, Files,
15.00 Chauncey (for the Society), Cohn, DuBois, Caston,

Hodel, Hutchison, NcCornack, O'Dayor, Files

(

o

341

340

Bern

Dated Karch 23, 1945
Rec'd 10:05 A.B.
C

Secretary of State,
MS-019

PLAIN

Washington

tisbon

1735 March 23, a p.m.
FOR WRB FROM NCCLELLAND TO ABRAHAH SILBERSCHEIN

Dated March 23, 1945

WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS FROM HAMS KLEX

Rec'd 9:30 p.fl., 24th

No documents from Zolarnik obtained Have interviewed many people from Borgen Beloon and the

Resicnated groupe as well AS from other CAMPS collecting

Sceretary of State,

documentation for reports, An in close contact with

Mrs. Knrous concerning Lindenbrum Food parcels for

Washington.

SAMCE you indicated ordered through Stockholm. Contacted

Morita Loth who 10 well regarding aid. Stricker

Friedmans, Kolover, Kahn others left the Resienstedt for

649. Twenty-third

unknown destinciion October 1944 presumbly for work
CAMP# in Germany I. September October 1944 several
thousands persons oblieed leave the Resienstedt

RR 367 JDC 204 FOR LEAVITT FROM TROBE

Magnes shipped five tone Easter brend fivo tons flour
O
grooce.

o

CROCKER

Please contact joint matter legal defense young
non Buchercat to take up this question with JDC representativo in Switzerland who has hitherto been uncooperative
in this question.
Yush1haum Tel-A-Fix asking for $200 demonited with
you formerly for Anrous Gorston because now needs it

CSP

himself. Peul Atcitolbaum Hilfikon noke you contact

her uncle Chorlce Gewirt, 7224 Blob nr4 Kway. New York

for support hereoff and mother. Contact Dr. Alex

Molemid. 243 ^iverside Drive New York City to mond hole

for his mother-in-Inw Clare Caro recontly arrived here

from the Remicestedt. Mrs. Need assious because no nows
from her husband.

Please cable concerning your Activition travel
expressment with World Congress and approximate date
your return,
HARRISON
UST

kiss Chauncey (for the Sec'y) Cohn. Gaston, Hodel,

Hutchison kconneck. O'Duyer, Files
(

10.00 Chauncey (for the Society), Cohn, DuBois, Gaston, Hodel,
Hutchison, 10cornack, O'Dayer, Files

O

(

RECISION

TRACE MARK

MICROSTAT

MICRM

Born

Dated March 25. 1948

Reg'd 10:05 a.s.
IS-019

Secretary of State,

PLAIN

Lisbon

Washington

Dated March 23, 1945

1735 March 23. a P.S.

Rec's 9:30 p.m., 24th

FOR WRS FROM KOOL TO ABRAHAK SILBIRSORMIN

WORLD JUNISH CONGRESS FROM KANS KLEX

Secretary of State,

No .decreases free
Salamak obtained. Have
free

Mashington

groups .. well as free other collecting
for reports, As is close contact with

649, Twenty@third

concerning Lindenbeus, Food
Mrs. documentation Resienstadt viewed Narcus many people Barges Pelses and parcels camps the inter- for

- 367 mo 200 FOR LEAVITY FROM TRORE

Marita Friedmann, Leib regarding aid. Stricker,

Magnee shipped five Lone Easter bread five tons flour

unkneve destination October 1944 presumably for work
campe is Germany. In September, October 1944 several
thousands persons obliged leave the Resienstadt

names you indicated
ordered through Steckhola. Contacted
who is well

Korever, Kaha others left the Resiensted for

Greece,

Please contact joint matter legal defense young

CROCKERS

man Ducharest to take up this question with JDC representative
Switserland who has hitherite been uncooperative
is
this isquestion.

CSB

Keehlbeus Tel-A-Viv asking for $200 deposited with
you formerly for Marous Gerates because new needs "

himself Paul Meitelbaum Hilfiken asks you contact

her weele Charlee Devirt, 7324 Blab and Kwax. New York

for support hereelf and mother. Contact Dr. Alex
Melanid, 243 "iverside Drive New York City to send help
for his mother-in-law Clare Care recently arrived here

free
free her
the husband.
Resienstadt Mrs. Keep angious because se save

Please cable concerning your activities travel

arrangement
your
return. with Yorld Congress and approximate date
VS)

HARRISON

343

345
344
WFD-202
0

Distribution of true
reading only by special

Born

Dated March 23, 1945

arrangement. (SECRET W)

Rec'd 12.21 p.m.
JMD-457

Ankara

This telegram must be
paraphrased before being

Dated March 23, 1945

other than . Government

Rec'd 10:37 P.M.

communicated to anyone

Secretary of State,
Washington.

Agency. (UESTRICERD)

US UNDENT

1738, March 23, 4 p.s.
Secretary of State

FOROUINTER OF WRB FROM MCCLELLAND

Washington

Department's 1148, WRB's 468, March 21.

According your instructions I shall leave for

396, March 23, 1 p.m.
FOR O'INTER OF no FROM PACKER

Ankara No. 15 Central Bank has transferred

$98,500 (repeat 396,500) which is balance of ori-

Paris at sognest possible moment although with prevailing

transportation difficulties I probably cannot reach
there before March 25 or 26.

I will contact Brigadier General Maurice Gillard

ginal $160,000 (REDEPTED 311, March 15) through the

Chase National Bank, New York to Iver c. Clean,

of SHAKE 0-4 immediately on arrival.
Cindly advise - care limbassy Paris appreximate

United States Legation, Stockholn, Sweden.
STEINHARDT

date Estaki's arrival.
HARRISON

us

-

346

347

PLAIN

0

Listing

MS-03

PLAIN

Dated March 23, 1948

Lisben

Rec'd 11:18 P.A.

Dated March 23, 1945

Secretary of State

Rec'd 9:35 P.M.

Washington

Secretary of State,
634, Twenty-third
Washington.
wha 365 JDC 201 PO LEAVING FROM KAROLD TROES,

648, Twenty-third

Julium Hustiner. Jewish Refugee Committee
Jews

as 366 JOC 203 FOR LEAVITY FROM HAROLD THOSE

aboard BROTTEINGHOLA for Liverpecl

for repetriation Have asked

Theresionstedt Goteborg. advises eated Turkey 180 Turkish ex-Dergen-Helsen London obtain

MAY - credits placed Pilderman's disposal
amount to Swiss france ten and one-half million.

all pos sible information concerning this group and

-

authorised Filderman aid also countries bardering Rumania

their destination since possible is identical with

ETONOS 185 Sephardies deported free Athese and Salemique

to Bergen-Heleen in April 1944. Will keep you advised.

and finance Red Cross detachments and medical team
LNS

pending arrival joint representative Bucharest,
CROCKED

RB

PRECISION

TRADE MARK

MICROFILM

MICROSTAT

BOLL NO.

Born

Dated March 23, 1945

Rec'd 9:30 p.a.

Secretary of State,
Washington

1739. March 23, 5 P.S.
you O'INTER WRB FICH

Department's 998, de's 438, March 9 and 1090

WRB'. 455. March 16.

Many thanks your telephone call March 21. I regret
that illness prevented my going to Faris imandiately on

receipt your 998 but : was laid - with flu until March 20.
It would be and helmful to have Kataki is Puris in
first place actively to follow - negotiations with SHARF
concerning allecation trucks tires and fuel for ICNC

KRS relief and evacuation work in Germany and secondly
to accelerate evacuation from Switserland of "Fungerian"

as as some
700 from
group
the of convey.
1672 refugees
wellwhich
stateless
Resiensted
Slowness with
this has
been moving is beginning to have unfavorable reaction

is dealines with Deles, It is most important at this
critical time that at least . fev hundred of the refugers

be moved on .. promptly as possible in view of conceivable
arrival is Switserland shortly of unknown numbers of new
Katski could perform most valuable service as

was lisison as to handle such mitters and and in future

with THAN is France APHO in Casapta and URRAX

If I had - to do this outside work who could

assist as is Twitserland for week or two from time

to time I could continue swinging the job at this and

need of your sending . special WRB Man to assist
-without
full time
here.

: shall discuss this whole question with Katski

and would attraciate your opinion. Please wire - in

Faris,

MARRISON
V75

348

350
NOT TO BE RE-TRANSMITTED

349

COPY NO.

if

SECRET

OPTEL No.94

Information received up to 10 e.m., 23rd March, 1945.

9.

HOME SECURITY (Up to 7 a.m. 23rd)

HOME WATERS. 22nd. Midget U-boat collided with MTB 394 off
Great Yarmouth who opened fire causing abandonment of U-boat and cap-

1.

10. FLYING BOMBS. 22nd/23rd (night). Eleven plotted, of which

area North Sea and were engaged by MTB' who drove them off.

ture of 2 prisoners. 22nd/23rd (night) E-boats active in Southern

nine destroyed.

EAST INDIES. 24th Feb to 9th Mar. Two of H.M. Submarines
operating together destroyed 6 coasters, 4 junks, 1 tug and submarine
chaser, while another sank 8 junks.

11. ROCKETS. 21st. One additional incident reported for previous 24 hour period.
22nd, Four incidents reported.
22nd/23rd. Four incidents reported.

2.

ENEMY ATTACKS ON SHIPPING. 22nd. A 6996 ton ship torpedoed

3.

in convoy off Lands End. A 7247 ton Greek and 7176 ton U.S. ship
sunk by nine or torpedo off Zeebrugge.
MILITARY

WESTERN FRONT. Southern Sector: Now confirmed that 7th and
3rd U.S. Armies joined up several places between Homberg and Neunkirchen. 3rd U.S. Army troops have entered Speyer and reached Ludwigshafen and hold west bank of Rhine between Worns and Bingen with

4.

o

exception small pocket Mainz. Central Sector: At north end of
Remagen bridgehead River Sieg reported crossed.

EASTERN FRONT. Northern Sector: Further slight gains made
south Danzig but Germans claim to have prevented breakthrough to coast
between this town and Gdynie. Central Sector: Advances made of some
25 miles S.W. Oppeln where Soustadt and other places captured.
Southern Sector Further gains made north and N.3. Zvolen.
5.

BURMA. Coastal Sector: Snall advances made from An bridgehead. Central Sector: 20th. in south end Nyangu bridgehead 230
Japanese killed when attacking our position area Seikpyu when our
casualties 36 killed and 48 wounded. Further North southern and
Myingyan occupied by our troops and rest of town in flames, In
Mandalay area enemy garrison now split in small parties attempting
escape southwards. Northern Sector: Our troops advancing S.W. longmit have reached point 7 miles S.E. Mogok.
6.

of

AIR
7.

WESTERN FRONT. 21st/22nd (night). 530 Bomber Command air-

craft (7 missing) despatched: 302 oil refinery and benzol plants

C

JAPAN. 18th/19th (night). 292 Super Fortresses (1 missing)

attacked Urban Area Nagoya (1679 tons) causing heavy datange.

NAVAL

(1283 tons. at Bamburg and Bochum, 142 Berlin and 86 other operations
with mainly good results.
22nd. 645 escorted Bomber Command aircraft (4 missing) attacked
in
clear weather enemy troops and supplies dropping total 1252 tons
Dulmon, Dorsten and Bocholt while 566 tons dropped (including five
22,000 pounders) on railway bridges Bremen and Nienburg (where bridge
destroyed) and also 1406 tons Hildesheim. 1293 escorted U.S. heavy
hombers (5 bombers, 5 fighters outstanding) attacked visually 10
military camps and barracks in Dorster Essen du Seldorf area (1629
tons) and 5 airfields east Mannhein (1072) when 14.1.4 casualties
inflicted in combat and 13.0.8 on ground. SHAEF (A1F) bonbers 1066 and
L3 missing ) dropped 1486 tons on 27 communication centres north
central sectors and 3 railway bridges southern sector while 3394
fighters and fighter bombers (8 missing) operated battle areas destroying or damaging 200 locemotives, 800 N.T. 2.000 rail vehicles

inflicting 13.0. casualties in combat and 62,7,44 on ground.

and 120 Fighter Connand Spitfires attacked railway movement Holland and

also rooket target Hague area.
22nd/23rd (night). 163 Bomber Command aircraft (2 missing)
despatched: Berlin 56, sea mining 29 and bomber support and other
targets 78.
MEDITERRANEAN. 20th/21st (night). Liberators dropped 170 tons
B. railway centre Pragersko (south Maribor) 21st. 675 escorted 718 U.S. on

heavy bonbers (3 missing) dropped total 1251 tons including 6
airfield Neuburg (45 miles N.W. Munich). Three oil refineries and
railway targets Austria and Yugoslavia. 913 tactical aircraft (5
missing) attacked communications and other targets North Italy.

3