Office of the Historian

862.515/8–144–5: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)

Washington, August 14, 1945—7 p.m.

1834. For Pauley.29 Dept understands that you and Mr. Clayton30 in approving General Clay’s31 proposal for transfer of German art treasures to US for safekeeping expressed reservation concerning issuance of public statement making clear that such works of art would eventually be restored to Germany.32

General Clay has advised War Dept that President had previously approved issuance of such a statement and has asked for further instructions.

Dept is strongly of opinion that both our own people and German people should be assured that we are not appropriating German art treasures. Although Germans may be required to replace in kind looted works of art, books, artistic or historic archives and other cultural treasures which have been destroyed or irreparably damaged, German art should not be appropriated for other purposes. US should set high standard of conduct in this respect and not expose itself to public criticism which would be certain to develop in Allied countries as well as in Germany if it appeared that the US was indulging in “cultural looting.” We believe that a statement should be issued in Germany by General Clay, and here by the Dept, making clear that German art treasures are being sent to US only for safekeeping and that they will eventually be returned intact except for such levies as may be made upon them to replace looted artistic or cultural property which has been destroyed or irreparably damaged.

Sent to Moscow, repeated to London for Clayton, and to USPolAd,33 Frankfurt for Despres.34

Byrnes
  1. Edwin W. Pauley, United States Representative on the Allied Commission on Reparations; for documentation relating to the work of this body, see vol. iii, pp. 1169 ff., passim.↩
  2. William L. Clayton, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.↩
  3. Lt. Gen. Lucius B. Clay, United States Deputy Military Governor for Germany and Commanding General, United States Group, Allied Control Council for Germany.↩
  4. See the memorandum by Messrs. Pauley and Clayton to General Clay, July 30, Foreign Relations, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, vol. ii, p. 924.↩
  5. United States Political Adviser for Germany, Robert D. Murphy.↩
  6. Emile Despres, Adviser on German Economic Affairs in the Office of Assistant Secretary of State Clayton.↩