740.00/2011: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 4—1:10 p.m.]
1440. Charvériat, Director of Political Affairs at the Quai d’Orsay, said to me today that the French Government had been informed that 11 large German transports were being loaded at Hamburg to sail immediately for Pillau.
I was informed this morning by an American source in Hamburg that these 11 ships had sailed; that they were loaded with troops and light tanks and that their destination was Koenigsberg.
In connection with this report Charvériat said many indications had reached the French Foreign Office in the past few days that Hitler intended to go on provoking incidents in Danzig. He said that while he did not consider war inevitable he would not be surprised if any 24 hours should bring forth an incident which would oblige the Poles to send an ultimatum to the Government of Danzig.
[Page 205]Charvériat said that all information from Moscow continued to indicate that the Russians genuinely desired to conclude both political and military agreements with the British and French Governments.
The French Foreign Office has as yet no official information whatsoever with regard to the reports that Japan is about to enter into a military alliance with Germany and Italy.