760F.62/1066: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 25—9:30 p.m.]
1583. The French Cabinet met this afternoon before Daladier and Bonnet left for London. Wilson76 has just seen La Chambre, Minister of Air, who gave in strictest confidence the following account of the meeting:
The Cabinet had before it Hitler’s memorandum and attached maps. The Cabinet found Hitler’s proposals unacceptable both as to procedure and as to certain of the substance.
As concerns procedure text of the communication recalled that Chamberlain had proposed to Hitler that the cession of the districts to be handed over to Germany be carried out under the supervision of an international commission. Hitler refused this and demanded that they be handed over by the Czech authorities directly to the German Army. The ceded districts contain most of the Czech fortifications and it is impossible to expect that the Czech Army can turn these over to the German Army and withdraw from the area without most serious incidents arising unless a cushion can be interposed between the two parties in the form of an international commission. On this point of procedure the French Government will try to give Hitler all possible assurances. If it is the possibility of delay that worries him as he asserts the French Government will propose fixed dates for [Page 657] the appointment of the commission and the conclusion of its task as well as agree to a “symbolic” occupation of certain areas to take place at once. But on the necessity of an international commission to carry out the cession the French Cabinet stands firm.
As concerns substance it was found that Hitler was demanding in addition to the outright cession of districts where the German population is in the majority that plebiscites be held in the valley of Moravia as far down as Sternberk in the north and as far up as Brno in the south. A glance at the map will show if as a result of Nazi intimidation these districts should vote for Germany then what is left of Czechoslovakia would be caught in the Nazi pincers and be completely at the mercy of Germany who could at any time in the future wipe out the Czechoslovak State by a sudden attack. The Cabinet was of the opinion that the demand for plebiscites in these areas as well as in certain “islands” in the center of Bohemia were unacceptable.
In brief if what Hitler wants is to be assured of speedy and effective cession of the predominantly German areas of Czechoslovakia the French Government will do everything possible for him on that point. If, however, Hitler wants to dismember and wipe out the Czech State the French Government will oppose him to the limit.
La Chambre added that the recent “divergencies of view” within the Cabinet had now been completely effaced. Daladier had put each proposed decision to each member of the Government in turn and had obtained unanimous and wholehearted approval on every point.
- Edwin C. Wilson, Counselor of Embassy in France.↩