Memorandum from President Harry S. Truman to Generalissimo Joseph Stalin

THE WHITE HOUSE vo WASHINGTON 27 July 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR GENERALISSINO STALIN An acute coal famine threatens Europe this winter unless German coal in substantial quantities ean be made available for export. Despite our own shortages of coal, internal transportation and ocean ship ing, we are now shipping coal to Europe as an emergency measure in order to provide some relief in the present crisis. It is obvious, however, that with our large commitment of industrial and military resources in the war against Japan, the quantities of coal which we can make available to Europe will be inadequate to cover pressing European needs. To meet these needs all possible measures should immediately be taken to increase cosl production in Germany and to make the maximum quantities available for export. In order to avoid delay, I have directed the United States Commander- in-Chief to take the necessary measures in his zone of occupation. I understand that the British and French Governments have issued similar directives to their respective commenders in Germany. A copy of the directive to General Eisenhower is attached. I am most anxious that a common policy in respect to coal should be followed by the four occupying powers, and I have therefore instructed General Eisenhower to diseuss the policy set forth in the above directive at the Allied Control Council at the earliest possible date, I trust that the Soviet Government will see their way to joining with us in this policy. It is my hope that they will be prepared to instruct their Commender-in- Chief to take similar action in the portions of Germany occupied by Soviet forces, and to proceed with the formulation in the Control Council of a coal production and export program for Germany as a whole. s RECORDIC s/ HARRY S. TRUMAN