Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1939, General, Volume I

740.00119 European War 1939/68: Telegram

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

Paris, October 10, 1939—5 p.m.
[Received October 10—3:20 p.m.]

2409. Champetier de Ribes⁸⁵ informed me this afternoon that Daladier⁸⁶ tonight in his speech would set forth in broad terms the war aims of France but would avoid specific details. He would point out clearly however that it was impossible to establish in Europe a genuine peace so long as promises with regard to the future would have to be made by men who had proved that their word could not be trusted.

The object of the speech, Champetier added, would be to turn down Hitler’s vague proposals in a constructive manner.

Bullitt

85. French Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
86. Édouard Daladier, President of the Council of Ministers and Minister for National Defense.