740.00/486: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5—3 p.m.]
1699. Rochat, Chief of the European Division of the Foreign Office, has just confirmed to me that François-Poncet will be the new French Ambassador to Rome and that he will proceed there very shortly.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When I congratulated Rochat upon his participation in the Munich conference he replied that congratulations were hardly in order and that there was nothing very glorious for France in what had taken place recently in Central Europe. All that could be said was that war had been prevented. France who had been on top of the heap for nearly 20 years would now have to go to work to recreate her position in Europe. The story of the future will be indicated largely by events in France over the next few months: if the country gets hold of itself, shows discipline, produces enough, it will be able to treat with Hitler on a proper basis; if it fails to do this then it may expect to be confronted with further ultimata.