740.00/2110: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 23—10:06 a.m.]
1546. General Requin of the French General Staff who will command the main French Army against Germany called on me this morning and said that he was packing his belongings since yesterday the frontier troops had been placed on the alert and tonight the measures of “couverture” would be taken which would mean that the general staff officers would take command of the armies in the field which they would command in time of war.
He expects a German ultimatum to Poland about Friday of this week. Like all other responsible Frenchmen with whom I have talked he feels that however difficult from a military point of view because of the treaty between the Soviet Union and Germany, France must and will fight the moment Poland is attacked.