740.0011 European War 1939/7039: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—9:25 p.m.]
182. 1. Reliable reports received that aviators mentioned in my telegram 1801 were formerly civilian aviators residents of Liberia and were being repatriated by Dakar.
2. Reliable reports received confirming mobilization of aviators for eventual use at Dakar.
3. Rumors from unknown sources that France may eventually attack Italy with the approval of Germany which would undoubtedly meet with approval of majority of persons here including all military, naval and air circles.
4. All sales of military equipment of all types have been suspended and report links this to paragraph 3.
5. Report received of constant friction between French, German and Italian officials over orders of latter which are frequently if not always countermanded upon application to Wiesbaden.
6. Italian passport and customs control now being exercised at Algerian Moroccan and Moroccan Spanish Zone borders.
- December 4, 11 a.m., not printed; it reported that nine German aviators had passed through Algiers returning from Dakar (740.0011 European War 1939/6997).↩