vierteljahrshefte für zeitgeschichte - Institut für Zeitgeschichte

Die Stabskonferenz des amerikanischen Militärgouverneurs 141
porting members of this commission spent about $ 1,155,000. Not all of the members
reported on their 1948 plans but Snyder, who is the executive director of the commission,
estimated $ 250,000,000, as you know. However, we have felt that the inspector
general would leave in America a small coordinating committee. This man Snyder's
committee is concerned with devastated countries. Dr. Wells 43 is working on that
now.
We have a letter from Rockefeller [Foundation] which indicates that it is about set
up. Dean Russell came through with a very significant report. You have seen it and I
think it has a special significance for democratization program. I think, General Clay,
you would like to read it.
And there is one other item and that is that our Dr. Ade 44 and Dr. Allard 45 made a
trip to Pädagogische Hochschule [Berlin] yesterday and were picked up and held from
three o'clock until seven. Dr. Allard said they gave him pretty rough treatment and
Dr. Alexander 46 is sending in a report to the Chief of Staff.
I think that is all.
DR. LITCHFIELD 47 , Civilian Administration: General Hays, I have several items of
interest with regard to the SPD. First of all, the decision has been definitely made to
move their headquarters from Hamburg to Frankfurt. 48 In connection with that, there
is reason to believe - though it is not at all definite - that SDP may begin to have
certain of its members in Economic Council in Laenderrat who have not been too
effective resign and replace them with higher ranking people. There are a number of
conversations which they have initiated this week and in which they have admitted
that [they] have not made the efforts in economic council in the past. They will try
to make up for the mistake in the future.
Likewise, there is reason to believe - although it is not definitely settled - that SPD
may be assigned to recommend to its members in the Landtage to have indirect elections
of the members of the constituant assemblies instead of direct. 49 If that is the case
43
Hermann B. Wells, Adviser for Cultural Affairs to the Military Governor, Acting Director
of Education and Cultural Relations Division, OMGUS.
44
Lester K. Ade, Deputy Chief of Education Branch, Education and Cultural Relations Division,
OMGUS.
45
Allards Funktion konnte nicht ermittelt werden.
46
Richard T. Alexander, Chief of Education Branch, Education and Cultural Relations Disision,
OMGUS.
47
Edward H. Litchfield, Director of Civil Administration Division, OMGUS.
48
Die Parteizentrale der SPD befand sich damals nicht in Hamburg sondern in Hannover.
Eine Verlegung nach Frankfurt war nicht im Gesprach. Erst nach der Konstituierung der
Bundesrepublik kam die SPD-Zentrale nach Bonn. Möglicherweise nimmt Litchfield in
seinen Ausführungen die Beratungsgegenstände des Hauptvorstandes der SPD auf, der
sich am 29. und 30. Juni 1948 in Hamburg getroffen hatte. Vgl. Sozialdemokratischer Pressedienst
vom 30. Juni 1948, S. 1.
49
Dazu äußerte sich am 30. Juni 1948 der SPD-Vorstand in einer Entschließung: „Die Sozialdemokratische
Partei wehrt sich gegen den Versuch, Deutschland staatsrechtliche Konstruktionen
aufzuzwingen. Die Erweiterung und Zusammenfassung der deutschen Befugnisse
auf der jeweils höchsten erreichbaren territorialen Stufe ist eine Notwendigkeit. Aus
diesem Grunde bejaht die Sozialdemokratie die Schaffung einer einheitlichen und effektiven
Verwaltung in den drei Westzonen. Darum tritt sie auch dafür ein, dal3 die Besatzungsmachte
baldige allgemeine und direkte Wahlen zu einem provisorischen Parlament ermbglichen.
Dieses sollte sowohl ein Verwaltungsstatut fur die westlichen Besatzungszonen
schaffen, als auch die normalen Funktionen einer demokratischen Volksvertretung übernehmen."
Ebenda S. 3.