740.0011 European War 1939/23601: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:57 p.m.]
1205. Our 1182, August 12, 5 p.m.27 We asked a reliable friendly official if he could give us any information on the reported agreement between the Vichy Government and the Germans looking to the joint defense of North Africa. Our informant replied in strictest confidence that for some time Rahn, Special Counselor of the German Embassy in Paris, has been working actively with Guérard28 (the Department will recall that Guérard accompanied Rahn to Syria in 1941 when arrangements were made to permit the landing of German planes there) with a view to concluding an agreement for the joint Franco-German defense of “French Africa particularly Dakar and French West Africa”. Our informant believes that Laval may be prepared to or perhaps may have even already accepted “the principle of such an agreement”. A snag has been struck, however, in the form of Governor General Boisson29 who is said to be strongly opposed to such an arrangement. While admitting that his information might not be complete our informant said that to the best of his knowledge and belief that matter is still under discussion and that no accord has as yet been signed.