740.0011 European War 1939/4241: Telegram

The Consul General at Algiers ( Cole ) to the Secretary of State

28. Department’s telegram dated June 24, 7 p.m. I believe that the course of events in Tunis will follow those in Algeria where from all indications military and civil authorities will probably obey Bordeaux if General Noguès39 gives the command. All well-to-do white Algerians, civilians and military, urge continuation of resistance but European and native labor and masses inarticulate natives might prefer civil strife. The large Spanish elements of Oran are uncertain. The French Fleet is reported to be unwilling to give the ships to be [Page 572] used against Great Britain although if convinced of Italian good faith might accept disarmed internment.

Anti-British feeling growing. The situation is tense, depressed, unstable. Acknowledge.

Cole
  1. Gen. Albert Noguès, Resident General in French Morocco and Commander in Chief of French troops in North Africa.