740.0011 European War 1939/5021: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 8—2 p.m.]
277. I had a brief conversation today with Marshal Pétain13 in which he expressed the opinion that France’s position is greatly misunderstood in the United States. At the same time he expressed indignation over the brutal selfishness of England. He blamed in large part English disregard and ignorance of the interest of continental countries [in] its rash declaration of war, for which it was unprepared, for the present state of affairs in Europe and France’s tragedy. He said that all members of his Government eagerly desired to return to Paris but that the Germans were causing difficulties.
- Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, French Chief of State.↩