851.34/166: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson)
3572. Please transmit the following message from the President to the former naval person:
“I believe you will be interested in a report which I have just received from the American Chargé d’Affaires in Vichy of an interview which he had with Marshal Pétain on November 21 in order to emphasize further the concern felt by the Government of the United States regarding the movements of the French warships. Marshal Pétain stated categorically that he would keep the vessels now at Dakar and Casablanca where they are and that if there should be any change in this plan he would give the Government of the United States previous notice. Please regard this assurance to us as in the highest degree confidential.”