740.0011 European War 1939/16111: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 25—3:33 a.m.]
525. From Murphy. General Weygand received me this evening and discussed some of the features of his recent visit to Vichy. He said he could assure us that no decisions have been taken by the French Government changing the status of French Africa and that no concessions have been made to the Axis Powers for the use of French African naval or air bases. He also said that as far as he is aware there is no change in his personal status, adding “as you know I never discuss my personal situation and have always considered that phase of it quite unimportant. I have been ruthless at times and obviously I have made enemies. No one in the Government at Vichy suggested to me that I leave Africa.”
Weygand confirmed Vichy’s 1350, October 20, 12 noon89 to the effect that Rist would proceed to Washington on special mission and [Page 450] undoubtedly later replace Henry-Haye. He said he thoroughly approved of Rist, mentioning that they had discussed the importance of Franco-American policy with Marshal Pétain and Rist at Vichy.
He said that the other persons considered for the post, as previously reported, were passed over because of opposition to them for one reason or another on the part of members of the French Government rather than German interference.
The General also declared that “no one at Vichy dared criticize the American economic plan” in any conversation in which he participated. He said that he fails to see any justification for criticism as France can only benefit by the plan. I mentioned the reports coming to us that certain members of the Government were opposed to the plan calling it a Trojan horse and asserting that it only served selfish American interests. I said that I hoped it did serve a selfish American interest but that I also was convinced that our motive corresponded with the selfish interest of France—namely resistance to Axis domination in French Africa. General Weygand said he agreed fully; that we knew his anti-Axis sentiments; and that he was committed as every one knew to a policy of economic cooperation with the United States in North Africa.
I then mentioned the reports which have come to our Embassy at Vichy regarding the reopening of German Consulates at Algiers and Casablanca and the rumored increase of the German Armistice Commission personnel in North Africa (see Vichy’s 1333, October 1 [17], 7 [2] p.m.,91 and 1356, October 21, 3 p.m.). General Weygand said that it is true that the French Government has agreed in principle to the establishment of German civilian representation in the two places mentioned but it has not yet been decided what form the representation will take nor how large will be the personnel. He says it is not clear how they can be properly called Consulates because of the technical state of belligerency prevailing between the two countries. He maintained that if such civilian representation were authorized, there would be no possible justification for an augmentation of the Armistice Commission personnel which he said he argued should be reduced. He is not informed of an acceptance of a “cultural mission” of 20 persons mentioned in Vichy’s 1301, October 13, 2 p.m.91 This may be identic with the civilian representation.
I next referred to our apprehensions regarding the use of Tunisian territory by Italian airmen (see Doolittle’s despatch 100, October 1591). His reply was slangy: “You’re telling me”. I asked what he was [doing] about it and he said that he just yesterday vigorously told the Italians again in no uncertain terms that they must take measures [Page 451] to stop their planes landing in Tunisia. It is undoubtedly true that many Italian crews land in Tunisia on one pretext or another hoping at least for temporary internment of several weeks to take them out of the fighting. General Weygand said that no German planes were involved.
General Weygand asked numerous questions regarding the Russian campaign, General Wavell’s progress, would the British fight in the Caucasus and what are they going to do in Libya. I gave him what little information I have been able to glean from published material, which is precious little. He said he thought the Russian line would hold and that the Russians could and would defend Moscow for a long time. He was particularly eager for information regarding the Russian military and industrial establishment between Moscow and the Urals. He said with satisfaction that the German losses are serious. He inquired whether and how American supplies were reaching Russia and hoped they were in quantity. He was particularly interested in knowing whether the British were moving effectives up into the Caucasus and praised General Wavell, whom he admires as the only British General he knew with real ability. He thought the British division of forces between Iran and Egypt made the Libyan problem a difficult nut to crack. I spoke as reassuringly as I could of important shipments of American matériel, about which I know practically nothing, to the Red Sea area. Weygand was particularly interested in the description of the Chrysler 30–ton tank, about which I had heard a radio report and of which he professed ignorance.
We talked about the assassinations of German officers in unoccupied France which Weygand attributes to De Gaulle inspiration, deploring efforts of the De Gaullist organization to sow discord among the French population. I inquired whether he had any evidence that the murders were inspired by the De Gaulle group, and he replied that one need only listen to the De Gaulle radio broadcasts which constantly instigated acts of violence. He said the point is that they are safely abroad and do not have to pay the price of such acts which sadly enough serve no useful purpose. I suggested that the evidence in the Laval affair failed to show that Paul Colette was in any way connected with the De Gaulle or any other organization, to which he agreed. Weygand referred to the current German reprisals in the form of mass executions at Nantes and Bordeaux which do not surprise him as just another manifestation of disgusting Germany brutality.
General Weygand then asked for information regarding the American mission sent to the De Gaulle organization in French Equatorial Africa.92 I gather that there was a discussion of the matter in Vichy. [Page 452] I told him that I had no information regarding it other than a brief radio reference to such a mission and that I assumed it was a fact-finding undertaking. The Department’s comment in that connection might be useful.
General Weygand referred to General Huntziger’s visit to French Africa as a matter planned long ago and deferred several times. Huntziger wanted relief from the atmosphere of Vichy, a chance to visit his son—a lieutenant at Marrakech, and an opportunity to “discover Africa”. According to Weygand General Huntziger’s visit should not be misconstrued or [as] a change in the direction of North African affairs.
He concluded the interview with a request that I thank the Department for its courtesy in arranging the shipment of pneumatic tires now arrived at Casablanca for his personal Lockheed plane.
Repeated to Vichy, texts by courier to Tangier, Casablanca and Tunis. [Murphy.]