760F.62/1118: Telegram

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

1590. Massigli, who is at the head of the Foreign Office in the absence of Bonnet and Léger, said to Wilson this morning that he thought the President’s peace message had been very helpful. He expressed the hope it might be possible to have Hugh Wilson transmit some personal message from the President direct to Hitler.

Massigli said that after the discussion in London last night he had been informed that the British might make a “suggestion” for consideration this morning presumably for a further approach to Hitler. He had no news whether such a “suggestion” had in fact been made by the British. (I learn subsequently that Chamberlain in fact sent another personal appeal to Hitler this morning.) Massigli added that General Gamelin had flown to London early this morning.

Referring to Hitler’s speech to be made tonight Massigli said that he had little hope that it would be conciliatory. He felt that as concerns the political side of the question Hitler had taken his position and would find it more difficult to withdraw. On the military side there were certain indications which led him to believe that the German Army leaders might be wavering. For instance work had been suspended since 2 days on certain uncompleted fortifications and in [Page 660] some places it appeared that the German forces had fallen back from the Czech frontier. It has been known all along that the German High Command was doubtful of the wisdom of risking a general war. Whether they can now, however, influence Hitler to recede from his position seems a fairly forlorn hope.

Massigli said that the tragic part of it was that Hitler apparently did not yet believe the truth which was that France and England were prepared to fight. He had said to the German Chargé d’Affaires repeatedly of late that the latter should not listen to the French politicians or even certain members of the French Government who might tell him that the French would not fight. He should understand that the French people today are miles out in front of their Government and that they are determined after having made every reasonable effort for a peaceful solution not to yield any further. He felt that the German Chargé d’Affaires had remained unconvinced.

Massigli said that Hitler’s second memorandum and map80 had all the earmarks of having been prepared by the German Army. He believes that it was originally prepared by the army as a basis for an armistice with the Czechs following a few days of warfare and that it was hastily revamped for Hitler to hand to Chamberlain.

Massigli confirmed the report that the Czech Government had advised the Polish Government of its readiness to enter into negotiations concerning Polish claims in the Teschen District. The Czech Government had made no proposal to Hungary regarding the Hungarian claim.

Bullitt
  1. Memorandum dated September 23, 1938, German Documents, ser. D, vol. ii, doc. No. 584, p. 908; for map, see ibid., appendix VI.