740.00119 European War 1939/426: Telegram
The Deputy Ambassador in France (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 28—8:40 a.m.]
102. With reference to the last sentence of my 88 [83?], June 23, 8 p.m.,21 the following handout was published last evening by the governmental mouthpiece Havas. It speaks for itself.
“In the course of the meeting in the forest of Compiegne, General Keitel explained that the severity of the terms imposed by Germany on France were rendered necessary by Great Britain’s continuation of the war. When the hostilities cease the conditions of the occupation will in all probability be reviewed.
One of the fundamental aims of the negotiation has been to simplify delivering to Germany any arm which is capable of use against England. At no time has the French Government thought that it could cede the fleet. We have arrived at a system of controlled surveillance of the fleet which maintains a reduced fleet in activity for the protection of our colonial empire. Neither Germany nor Italy have contemplated the destruction of our fleet.
Insofar as French aviation, very reduced after the hard fighting of the last month, is concerned, it has also been rendered impossible of use against England. The airplanes are not surrendered; they are disarmed, the motors removed and placed in control station.
On the Franco-German Armistice Commission France will in all probability be represented by General Huntziger, a remarkable man who has shown once again proof of his qualities as a negotiator.
On the Franco-Italian Armistice Commission France will probably be represented by an admiral.
The conversations with Germany at the outset were clothed in a cold and correct tone—almost hard at the beginning. The tone has somewhat relaxed in the loyal contact of two soldiers. The German delegation has never missed an opportunity to recall the heroism of the French.
The French Army has been beaten. It has done more than save its honor; it has done the impossible. On June 5th, the beginning of the battle of France, 55 French divisions were faced by 140 German divisions, plus 11 armored divisions. At the end of the campaign Germany was preparing 80 reserve divisions.”
- Not printed. The last sentence states: “Whatever the force of the plea of cold necessity, the volte-face of the French press to those who recall its clarion calls to sacrifice, even a fortnight ago, is in a word: revolting.” (740.00119 European War 1939/398)↩