FUTURE OF GERMANY

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1944, Page 5

FUTURE OF GERMANY

Plans for Occupation THREE-POWER accord likely? (Rec. 12.3) NEW YORK, Sept. 21 1 The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says: British, American, and Russian accord on a long-term occupation of Germany is reported to be nearing realisation. President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill at Quebec discussed tne major points which are expected to be covered in greater detail in future consultations, either directly or indirectly, with ,M. Stalin. The plans are reported to provide for the sepaare reported to provide for separation of Germany, for purposes of occupa-. ■ tion into three geographical zones. Russia is to control eastern Germany, including Prussia, with the possible exception of Berlin, and Britain and America would be assigned the responsibility for the remainder of tne country, except the Rhineland, whicn might be occupied partly by the, French. The question of the division of responsibility between Britain and America in the north and south of western Germany is believed to be the principal matters Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill left for future decision.

However the opinion in Washington is that the United States will control South Germany, including Baden and Bavaria, and Britain will control north Germany, including the maritime ports. A strong suggestion has been made for the three powers to assume joint control in the Berlin area, as well as in Austria. It is not yet known how responsibility will be divided for the occupation of the satellite countries. The plan, it is understood, relates solely to punitive occupation and does not concern proposals for the diememberment of the Reich. There are two schools of thought in both the State Department and the Foreign Office regarding Germany’s political future. One argues that Germany should be broken up into independent states as before 1870; the other contends that we should not impose any scheme upon Germany which we are not prepared to enforce a generation from now.