740.0011 European War 1939/10743a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
395. Please seize the first available opportunity of presenting to the Marshal orally the following message from the President:
“I have been greatly gratified to receive from Ambassador Leahy your renewed assurances that your Government does not intend to agree to any collaboration with Germany which goes beyond the bare requirements of the armistice agreement and that you are also endeavoring to the utmost of your ability to limit the infiltration of Germans into French African colonies. I have also noted with much appreciation your public statement that you will not consent to any offensive action against France’s former ally.
With full realization of the serious difficulties in which the French Government finds itself, I feel sure you will permit me to suggest that a very desirable and happy effect would be created upon public opinion in the United States and, I am sure, as well upon public opinion in all of those other free countries who ardently hope for the complete restoration of the independence and territorial integrity of France, were you to issue orders to the French authorities in the French colonies that the French Empire must be preserved intact against any or all outside aggression, and that any attempt whatsoever to violate French territory or to use French territory as a base for military operations must be resisted by those authorities and by all loyal French citizens within those territories. Your Government has already ordered these authorities to resist any attempted British [Page 163] occupation or attack. I feel that surely, in the interest of France herself, such orders should include the possibility of attack by the Axis powers. As I read them, there is nothing within the terms of the armistice which would prevent such action on your part.
This clear indication that the French Government intends to comply honorably with the terms of the armistice but will not permit any encroachment upon French liberties over and above the terms of the armistice will be greatly welcomed here and would, of course, as you will understand, do much to rally popular enthusiasm in the United States for the measures of assistance which we intend to continue giving to the civilian population of unoccupied France and in the French colonies where such assistance is required.
This Government is willing to proceed immediately with the conclusion of the negotiations which will make it possible, under the measures of control agreed upon, to make two ships continuously available to import wheat into unoccupied France. I earnestly hope that as time passes, conditions will make it possible for us to expand still further the measures of our intended assistance in line with the need which exists.”
Please telegraph any reply that may be made to you by the Marshal.