740.00119 European War 1939/362½: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 16—4:28 p.m.]
1680. Personal for the Secretary. I saw Halifax10 at 7 p.m. He said early this morning they had message here from Reynaud saying that French proposed asking President of the United States to ask Germany for an armistice and Reynaud wanted to know if the British would agree to let the French make a separate peace provided the French agreed not to include the French fleet as one of the terms of agreement.
British announced then agreement was not with a man or an administrator (this in answer to the statement that Reynaud said that if the British did not agree to the separate peace Reynaud would resign and then a government might come in that would agree to everything that Hitler wanted). However, the British would agree to let the [Page 260] French make a separate peace provided the French fleet sailed at once for British ports and then the British would fight on. They also told Campbell in separate agreement to have the Polish, Czech and Belgian Governments come here. Also have the French Air Force come here or go to North America and all other troops outside of France do the same thing.
Later on the French gold arrived here with some Frenchmen who said Herriot,11 Mandel and others wanted to fight on and if Reynaud got some stiffening from England he would stick.
So the British drew up a declaration of union between France and England. All partners now, what you have is mine and what I have is yours. All damage done to France, England pays her share. A noble sentiment but just does not mean much so the armistice preparation has been held up pending finding out Reynaud’s reaction to the declaration of union.
These are high spots so you can get it in a hurry. Lothian will fill in all the details.