851.248/44: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 25—11:10 a.m.]
134. Reference my No. 124, January 24, 1 p.m. Delbos said to me last night that he had talked again with Chautemps about the possibility of buying planes from the United States and said that Chautemps’ idea was that it might be possible to place a definite order now for the delivery of a certain number of planes per month to be increased to a much greater number in case of war.
I said to Delbos that I had had no instructions from my Government since our conversation yesterday morning; but that personally I felt certain that after proclamation by the President that a state of war existed remainder of the delivery of planes contracted for under such an arrangement as he had suggested would be forbidden.
Delbos expressed his disappointment and went on to say that if my views were those of my Government it would be necessary to devise a different method for arranging for the purchase of planes in the United States. The important thing would be to get them even after the outbreak of war.
I believe that in the face of my expression of opinion, the French Government will not now approach us formally with the proposal recounted above so that no formal refusal will be necessary.
I should be glad if you would inform me whether or not my statement was in accord with your views.
There was a hint in further conversation that the suggestion might be made that planes might be bought through some neutral country, perhaps through Canada, in case Canada should remain neutral in the event of European war.