851.00/2534: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
898. Your 1496, December 4, 6 p.m. You should seek an early interview with the Marshal and refer to the visit of the Committee. You may state to the Marshal that, whereas we are still examining the problem of our relations with France on the basis of the information which has been made available to us, the future course of our policy is primarily dependent upon the Marshal’s assurances that the French Fleet will not be used against the British and that French territory will not serve as bases for German military operations. [Page 494] You may add that if he is prepared to reaffirm the assurances mentioned by the Committee with his knowledge and approval to the effect that the resignation of Weygand has made no change whatever in the French policy as regards North Africa and that the policy approved by the Vichy Govt and carried out by General Weygand will continue and that if a reaffirmation of the Weygand–Murphy memorandum of February 26, 194148 may be forthcoming, we would be prepared to give as favorable consideration as possible to the prompt resumption of the program of economic assistance to North Africa. This interview with the Marshal should take place as soon as circumstances permit unless, in your opinion, more recent developments should render this course of action undesirable.
The following telegrams have just been received from the Legation at Bern. (Repeat Bern’s 281, December 5, 11 a.m. and 282, December 5, 1 p.m.49).
If there are any movements of this nature50 the Consulates at Lyon and Marseille should be able to obtain confirmation.
Please instruct them urgently to obtain all possible information in this respect.
Your comments on these reports will also be appreciated.