740.0011 European War 1939/6587: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Matthews)
713. By direction of the President you are requested orally and informally to let the appropriate French authorities know that the Government of the United States would be prepared to consider purchasing the Jean-Bart and Richelieu if the French Government is willing to dispose of them. In such event you may state that your Government would be willing to agree that these warships would not be used during the present war.
I believe that the preferable method for you to follow in undertaking this approach would be by means of a personal conversation with the Marshal if you can arrange for a private interview.