Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General and Europe, Volume II

740.00119 European War 1939/564: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State

Vichy, November 1, 1940—5 p.m.
[Received November 3—9 a.m.]

872. My telegram No. 861, November 1, 11 a.m.³⁷ The Marshal’s reply to the President’s message was sent off late last night to Ambassador Henry-Haye. I learn that it was written in part by the Marshal himself and that probably Laval had a hand in its composition. An earlier draft couched in less brusque phraseology written by Charles-Roux and Rochat³⁸ I hear was rejected.

In view of the importance of the reply and the fact that the President’s message was transmitted to Vichy by Ambassador Henry-Haye in somewhat different form (my telegram No. 1830 [830], October 26, 2 p.m.), I quote the text in translation as sent me with a covering Foreign Office note today:

[Here follows a translation of Marshal Pétain’s message to President Roosevelt differing verbally but not in substance from translation printed infra.]

Matthews

37. Not printed.
38. Charles Rochat succeeded Charles-Roux as Secretary General of the French Foreign Office about November 1, 1940.