793.94/9456: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 17—4:04 p.m.]
1171. Leger27 who in the absence of Chautemps28 and Delbos29 is in charge of French foreign policy expressed to me today the following opinions with regard to the situation in the Far East:
He believed that the present conflict would result in a long war. He saw no possibility whatsoever of stopping this war. He believed that the Japanese were counting on being able to disintegrate the Chinese armies within a few months and make a peace which would give them North China and Inner Mongolia.
He said that he was absolutely certain that the Soviet Government would not intervene at this time and he was almost certain that the Soviet Government would not intervene no matter how long the war should endure.
Leger said that he would have to decide within the next few days what attitude the French Government would take toward exports of arms, ammunition and airplanes to both China and Japan. In this connection he asked me what attitude our Government would take. I told him that I had no information whatsoever on this subject. He asked me if, for the confidential information of the French Government, I could obtain the point of view of my Government with regard to this matter. He asked if the President would declare shortly that a state of war exists. I replied again that I had no [Page 432] information. Again Leger asked me to obtain the point of view of my Government. I should be greatly obliged if you would instruct me exactly how to reply to these questions.