740.0011 European War 1939/4259: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State

43. Reference to my telegram No. 43 [42], June 27. The High Commissioner explained to me yesterday that his abandonment of previously declared determination to carry on is due to rejection by General Noguès10 of General Mittelhauser’s appeal to French forces in North Africa.

From authoritative British source I learned later that confidential telegram from Algeria indicates that many officers and troops in North Africa still hope to carry on and that their attitude may prevail; in which case British here feel that local French forces may resume resistance as many of officers and a considerable number of troops had hoped to do.

Meanwhile officers and men of air force and other units are understood to have made plans to leave for Palestine individually or in small groups but in considerable numbers. Planes have been flown there and other material is on the way.

High Commissioner assures me that notwithstanding demobilization in accordance with terms of armistice a sufficient force to maintain order will remain here; but native reaction to presence here of expected Italian commission to supervise armistice terms may render situation difficult.

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