Truman Papers
No. 1046
President Truman to Generalissimo
Stalin
Washington [Babelsberg], 27 July 1945.
Memorandum for Generalissimo Stalin
An acute coal famine threatens Europe this winter unless German coal
in substantial quantities can be made available for export. Despite
our own shortages of coal, internal transportation and ocean
shipping, 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 coal 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-Chief1 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
commanders in Germany.2 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 discuss 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 Commander-in-Chief3 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.
[Attachment]
Directive to Commander of U. S. Forces in
Germany4
Unless large quantities of coal are made available to liberated
Europe in forthcoming months, there is grave danger of such
political and economic chaos as to prejudice the re-deployment
of Allied troops and to jeopardize the achievement of the
restoration of economic
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stability which is the necessary basis
for a firm and just peace. Adequate quantities of coal for the
greater part of Europe cannot, as a practical matter, be
obtained from any source other than Germany. It is a matter of
great urgency that Germany be made to produce for export to
other European nations the coal which they must have to support
economic life on at least a minimum basis.
You are therefore directed in your capacity of Commanding General
of United States Forces in Germany and as United States member
of the Allied Control Council, to take all steps necessary to
achieve the following objectives:
- 1.
- To make available for export out of the production of
the coal mines in Western Germany a minimum of 10
million tons of coal during 1945, and a further 15
million tons by the end of April, 1946.
- 2.
- To the extent necessary to accomplish the export of 25
million tons of coal at the rate directed, to assign the
highest priority to all matters pertaining to maximizing
the production and transportation of German coal, in
particular the provisioning of mining supplies,
transportation facilities, and food supplies adequate to
maintain mining labor at the requisite level of
efficiency. This requirement should be subordinate only
to the civil and military requirements necessary to
insure the safety, security, health, maintenance, and
operation of the occupying forces and to insure the
speedy redeployment of allied forces from
Germany.
- 3.
- To recommend to the Control Council (a) an assignment to the production and export
of coal from Eastern Germany of an urgency as great as
that implied in the required export of 25 million tons
of coal from Western Germany by the end of April, 1946,
and (b) the formulation of a
coordinated program for Germany as a whole covering the
production, distribution, and export of coal.
- 4.
- To assist in every reasonable way, efforts to maximize
the production of coal in other zones of occupation than
your own.
- 5.
- To recommend to the Control Council, and to follow in
your zone of occupation, the principle that in
allocating coal within Germany, the export of coal is to
take precedence over the use of coal for industrial
production and civilian purposes within Germany to the
extent necessary to accomplish the export of 25 million
tons of coal from Western Germany at the rate suggested
and to comply with paragraph 3, above, subject only to
the requirements set out in paragraph 2, above.
- It is recognized that the following of this policy
during the period of critical coal shortage will delay
the resumption of industrial activity in Germany. It is
also recognized that the carrying out of the above
policies with respect to German coal may cause
unemployment, unrest, and dissatisfaction among Germans
of a magnitude which may necessitate firm and rigorous
action. Any action required to control the situation
will be fully supported.
- 6.
- To make available to the European Coal Organization
full and complete details of coal production and coal
allocations within Germany, in order that the member
nations of the European Coal Organization may know the
relationship that prevails between the
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level of coal
consumption in Germany and the level of coal consumption
in liberated Europe.
- 7.
- To assign a high priority to the production and export
of brown coal briquettes and of additional quantities of
other coal in excess of the 25 million tons specified in
paragraph 1.
- 8.
- A similar directive is being issued to the United
Kingdom and French zonal commanders by their respective
governments.
