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“NO RELAXATION OFTHE FIXED DETERMINATION . . .
TO METE OUT FULL JUSTICE”
113
●
EISENHOWER, DWIGHT D. Typed Letter Signed, as Supreme Allied
Commander, to Lillian M. Stone, stating that he intends there to be no relaxation of the
non-fraternization regulations [between Germans and Americans] and explaining that the
speed with which war criminals are brought to justice is outside of his control. 1
1
/
2
pages,
4to, “Headquarters U.S. Forces, European Theater” stationery, written on separate sheets;
staple holes at upper left, horizontal folds. (TFC)
[Frankfurt], 8 November 1945
[700/1,000]
“
. . . I think you are somewhat mistaken in believing that the men that fought this war have in their
hearts forgiven the population that supported the regime responsible for the conflict.Their earnest desire
to see the war guilt brought home to the German people is in no wise abating, and personal contact
between the American soldier and German . . . women . . . is
not
evidence that he has so forgiven. In
addition to this, our own training and other documents issued to troops constantly emphasi[z]e the
need for remembering the basic causes of the war . . . .
“
As far as non-fraternization regulations are concerned, we maintain rigidly . . . . the strictly observed
prohibition against contracting marriage with a German and an equally strict order against the billet-
ing of any American soldier with German families . . . . So far as I am concerned, there will never be
any relaxation of the two basic features of non-fraternization . . . .
“
With regard to the trial and punishment of war criminals . . . . [i]nternational courts . . . completely
outside my jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of the War Department . . . are proceeding to the trial of
those men as expeditiously as possible . . . . I well understand your impatience with any delay but I
am certain that you will find no relaxation of the fixed determination on the part of our governments
to mete out full justice . . . .”