Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW/3–2445: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)

Washington, March 31, 1945—10 a.m.

1262. The information contained in your 1417, March 23 [24] concerning your talk with Bidault on Val d’Aosta is far from reassuring and the opportunity for mischief will be enhanced by the military decision reported to you in Caserta’s 48, March 27,5 permitting employment of French forces on the Italian side of the border.

Lest there be any misunderstanding on the subject please make it clear to Bidault (in writing unless you perceive objection) that we are disturbed by reports which have been reaching us; that any effort by the French to precipitate the annexation or occupation of this area through the use of force or through the fostering of “separatist” tendencies could not fail to lead to undesirable complications; and that we trust the French authorities will give the matter very serious thought.

For your information we are orally informing the British and French Embassies here along the above lines.

Sent to Paris as 1262. Repeated to Caserta as 272.

Stettinius
  1. Not printed.↩