851.33/217: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15—5 a.m.]
1537. Department’s 928, December 13, 6 p.m.7 At 6 p.m. today I had a half hour interview with Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan together and delivered orally, with a French aide-mémoire, the President’s message. He replied with expression of appreciation of the President’s understanding and courtesy. He repeated his previous assurance that African bases will not be turned [over] to the Axis Powers and that the French fleet will not be turned over to the Germans and will not be used against the British unless the French are attacked.
I then handed to the Marshal a brief memorandum outlining the wishes of my Government as indicated in the Department’s 914, December 12, 2 p.m. Admiral Darlan replied categorically that it was impossible for the French Government to accede to such a request. He went on to say that French naval units in the Caribbean were there to protect French colonies; while he appreciated our offer to safeguard France’s colonial possessions in the Western Hemisphere, it was unnecessary since France would provide any necessary defense.
He said that the Bearn is partly disarmed, that other vessels are not disarmed but under France’s agreement with us they will not depart from their West Indian ports. I referred to my last conversation with him (my 1523, December 11, 7 p.m.) in which he said that the French vessels in the West Indies were disarmed. He replied that he only referred to the Bearn as being partially disarmed. He added that in view of the fact that French vessels will not be disarmed, inspection by American survey parties is unnecessary. The Marshal said that he sincerely hoped the United States would understand the French position in this matter and he regretted being unable to grant our request.
Admiral Darlan then stated that he has given repeated assurances to the American Government regarding the French fleet. He regretted that both America and England refused to accept this word.
I said that in my opinion if the French fleet was not used against England or the United States and if the Germans are not permitted to establish themselves in French North or West Africa I had hopes that the existing friendly relations between our two countries could be maintained. Both the Marshal and Admiral Darlan said they shared this hope.
[Page 203]Darlan then stated that he believes Germany does not desire at this time to undertake any movement in French North Africa because it is so thoroughly occupied in Russia. He believes that Germany’s next effort will be directed toward the east where oil is available, probably through Turkey.
While there is evidence that the Marshal shows signs of some stiffening as a result of Germany’s difficulties in Russia and in Africa and America’s entry into the war, I would not necessarily assume that he will offer any effective resistance to any demands that Germany may make with its usual threat of pressure.
Both the Marshal and Darlan were again most cordial and friendly during the interview and expressed regret that other countries did not comprehend France’s difficulties as did America.