Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman

DESLASSIFIED E.O. 11552, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or TOP SECRET Dept. of State letter, Aug. 10, 1972 NARS Date 2-23-75 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 23, 1945 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Current Foreign Developments Churchill's Views on Control of Germany. During a discussion on May 16 between Churchill and Eisenhower the latter stressed the desirability of early establishment of the Allied Control Council for Germany even though the Russian representative might have to refer everything to Moscow. Although Churchill agreed that this matter should receive urgent consideration he feels that SHAEF should be responsible for the control of Germany until some other body is established to take over. He did not appear to be in any real hurry about this matter. Churchill stated full agreement with the British Foreign Office memorandum which among other things pointed out that the need to establish some German government was becoming ever more apparent. Churchill stated that the Allies should not assume full responsibility for Germany but should only take measures to prevent Germany from ever being able to start another war. German problems should be handled by Germans and some of the German generals now held by us might be em- ployed for this purpose since they would be obeyed by the German people. Among other points mentioned by Churchill were a reduction in rations for non-working prisoners of war and a statement that German war equipment, particularly aircraft, should not be destroyed but should be kept to equip liberated nations. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND SHAEF RECORDS SERVICE'