740.0011 European War 1939/36917/14: Telegram
The Deputy Ambassador in France (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received June (16?)—2:48 a.m.]
3. I feel that I should make it entirely clear that the French Government is now faced with only two alternatives, namely to sue for peace, which would of course have to be unconditional, or to move to North Africa and continue the fight. The decision as to which to take will depend on the nature of your reply and the encouragement or lack thereof contained in it.
If the former is chosen it is probable that your mediation will be asked with a view to reducing the harshness of the German terms—the probable severity of which I believe is too dimly realized even by the Government. Those that advocate surrender stress the very [Page 257] real likelihood of uprising of an enraged people against the masters, both political and industrial, who have so criminally betrayed and deceived them: the innocent will suffer with guilty and much blood will flow. They also point to German vengeance which will be wreaked on France for continuance of the struggle from Africa and loss of the uncaptured fleets They question the morale of a French evacuated army in Africa whose families are left to Nazi rule.
Those who urge removal of the Government to North Africa foresee that only thus can a free and independent France survive; that only thus can the symbol of a living France be maintained; that only thus can the French fleet be kept afloat for the democracies.
The decision will be taken tomorrow morning.