740.0011 European War 1939/4228: Telegram

The Deputy Ambassador in France ( Biddle ) to the Secretary of State

106. French naval sources of the Deuxième Bureau informed my Naval Attaché this afternoon that the French Fleet with few exceptions [Page 461] is in North African ports (principally Bizerte, Algiers, Or an, and Casablanca) and will remain there until the mixed armistice commission decides details of their further movements. The French members of the commission leave for Wiesbaden tomorrow morning.

The merchant marine has been recalled to home ports in accordance with armistice provisions. Docks at Bordeaux now filled.

Please inform Navy and War.

Biddle