124.51/134: Telegram

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

648. For Bullitt from the President. It is strongly recommended that if all foreign chiefs of mission follow French Government to its temporary Capital, you should do likewise. Because it is impossible here to know last minute developments on the wishes of the French Government, I must rely on your discretion and assume you will make your decision in the best interests of the United States and of humanity.

As long as you are in communication with French Government you remain in full charge of relations between the two Governments. If in Paris or elsewhere you are cut off from access to French Government, Biddle will temporarily act as representative of United States.

No authority can be given to you to act as a representative of the French Government or local government, but again, being on the spot, you will, as a red-blooded American, do what you can to save human life.

We are doing everything possible in regard to your dispatches about Red Cross arrangements.

On behalf of the Government of the United States I salute you in this hour of crisis and personally you have my ever affectionate regard. Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Hull