Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman, Current Foreign Developments

TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug. 10, 1972 BINKTHE NARS Date 9.1.75 May 22, 1945 MIMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Current Foreign Developments Declaration of Defeat of Gexmany Approved All four governments concerned have now approved the decla- ration of the defeat of Germany and the assumption of supreme authority by the four governments. French Troops in Northwestern Italy. Field Marshal Alexander believes that French troops should not be allowed to remain in northwestern Italy under any circum- stances even under General Clerk's command. Since this question is now being handled on a governmental level Ambassador Kirk advised Alexender to aweit the results of our representations before taking further action. Disposition of Laval. British Foreign Office has directed its Embassy in Medrid to inform the Spaniards that the British cannot a.ccede to the suggestion that Laval be handed over to the British at Gibraltar. The ostensible British reason for making this decision is that they do not wish to help Franco out of his present embarrassment. Ambassador Armour questions whether Franco is actually under any embarrassment and points out thet continued delay may assist Laval to escape from justice. Apparently the British do not wish to be associated with the trial and punishment which might be moted out to Laval after his return to France. Armour considers that it is unlikely that Spain will deliver Laval directly to the French. Spanilhh . "NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE ARCHIVES AND