740.0011 European War 1939/31156/8: Telegram

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

726. Personal for the President. In connection with the suggestion in my telegram 720, May 17, 3 p.m., I have just had a conversation with General Laflèche, Canadian Assistant Secretary of War, who is at the moment acting as Military Attaché in Paris.

He asserts that nearly a thousand American reserve pilots already have offered their services to Canada; but that in order to avoid [Page 226] repercussions in the United States which might be undesirable the Canadian Prime Minister82 has refused to permit the enlistment of these volunteers. He suggested that a word from you to Mackenzie King indicating that such enlistment would not be distasteful to you would result in immediate enlistments. Surely public opinion in the United States at this critical moment would approve and applaud such volunteers.

Bullitt
  1. W. L. Mackenzie King.