740.0011 European War 1939/6699a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Cole)88
91. I desire you to see General Weygand at the earliest opportunity and to present to him orally the following.
Refer to the conversation which the General had with the American Consul at Dakar late in October,89 at which time he expressed the hope that arrangements could be made for the United States to supply French African territories with certain needed products such as petroleum and drugs. Explain to the General that we have been giving consideration to what steps might be taken to meet that situation, particularly in Morocco and French West Africa. It is our preliminary view that an exchange through trade channels of goods such as mineral ores and olive oil from Morocco and tropical products from French West Africa for such American commodities as may be needed in those territories might be mutually advantageous. Point out that, as the General is aware, it is the policy of the United States Government to afford Great Britain all possible assistance, short of war, in the effort of the British to resist totalitarian aggression and that we would not participate in any plan which would deflect us from that main objective. At the same time we are convinced that only through a British victory can France regain its rightful position both in metropolitan France and in the colonies.
State that we are well aware of General Weygand’s patriotism, of his friendly disposition toward this country, as manifested during his two tours of duty in Syria, and of his determination to preserve the French colonial territories in Africa against aggression. Add that we should like to render him such assistance, in an economic way, through an exchange of products, as would result in the improvement of the economic situation in the African territories and their preservation to France. Explain that we have been unable to proceed along these lines because of our lack of definite information in regard to the policies of the French Government concerning the status of the French territories in Africa.
Tell the General that we understand the difficult position in which he is placed, that we should like to assist him, at least from the economic point of view, if that can be done without injury to Great [Page 617] Britain, and that we would welcome an expression of his views which naturally would be held in strictest confidence if he so desires. Upon the receipt of those views we shall be glad to explore what action may be open to us.