740.0011 P. W./329: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26—6 a.m.]
939. I have had a copy of the Acting Secretary’s statement on the Far East14 as it appears in this morning’s Radio Bulletin given to the Marshal and to Admiral Darlan. Rochat expressed appreciation of the “understanding of the French position” shown therein. He said [Page 232] that present talks with the Japanese could hardly be described as “negotiations”; that they mean merely discussions of the ways and means of Japanese entry into the French colony. The Japanese, he said, are willing to make the declaration requested (please see Embassy’s telegram 919, July 21, 4 p.m.), adding that it will probably be made almost immediately at Tokyo. He denied that the Japanese have as yet moved forces into Indochina. He also said that the Chinese are apparently not “anxious to undertake any preventive military action by invading Indochina themselves at [apparent omission] is imminent.[”]
We learn from Ostrorog that the French Government has not yet informed the Chinese Embassy here of the Japanese demands or of the French acceptance thereof, although that Embassy is now quite au courant of development.
Rochat displayed considerable interest in what “in practical terms” British and American policy will now result. We said we could give no information on this subject other than that contained in the Acting Secretary’s declaration.
Repeated to Algiers.