740.0011 European War 1939/9562a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
291. This morning’s cable (my 290 of April 3, 2 p.m.) has given deep cause for reflection and I wish in the first conversation you may have alone with Marshal Petain you would express to him that since early February there have been developments in French foreign policy which seem to indicate that certain elements of the Government are willing to collaborate much further with Germany than the terms of the armistice demand. While General Huntziger’s activities are less obvious to the foreigner the policy of Admiral Darlan with his openly spoken anti-British bias and particularly his personal animosity against the British Navy has caused us to analyze each of his actions in the light of his association with the Maréchal. Our information indicates that the French factories both in occupied and unoccupied France are under urgent orders to produce not only for French military establishments but to a greater extent for German delivery airplanes and/or airplane parts. We understand furthermore that to facilitate this agreement, fully known to Admiral Darlan, executives of French aviation factories have been released from prison.
We understand undertakings for the delivery of French bauxite production to Germany are to be increased.
We understand by agreement of Admiral Darlan there are deliveries due to Italy of some 20,000 tons of gasoline.
The American press has carried generally Admiral Darlan’s repeated declarations to convoy French shipping if necessary even should this entail resistance against the British Navy. Our information leads us to believe that the sums being expended on the French Navy far exceed those which are called for either by needs of a peaceful France or the present needs of the French Government.
While there exists every desire in this country to believe the Maréchal in his direction of the French Government has no desire to go beyond the minimum collaboration imposed by the terms of the armistice, we are inclined to doubt that he may be aware of certain acts on the part of his associates in the Government and of the adverse impression which these acts are creating in this country.
[Page 143]You will note that other incidents which might be cited in this connection such as German infiltration into French Morocco and other questions which have formed the subject of recent instructions to you are not touched upon here, but I must re-emphasize this Government can only serve the cause of France and the French people if the French Government keeps within the limitations and obligations of the Armistice terms.
Your telegrams seem to confirm our opinion of the Maréchal and we trust that this will make it possible for you to raise very freely in your discussions with Petain our doubts as to the real purpose of Admiral Darlan’s policy and the significance of his actions.