Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/5929: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Matthews)

Washington, October 11, 1940—5 p.m.

589. Your 711, October 8, 4 p.m.²⁶ On October 7 the French Ambassador read to the Under Secretary a telegram from his Government²⁷ characterizing as totally false reports that Italy had made demands on France for the establishment of air bases in Syria, submarine bases in French North African possessions, or the complete demobilization of all French forces in Syria. The telegram authorized the Ambassador to inform this Government that no demands of any character with regard to Syria or other French African possessions had ever been formulated by Italy. On October 4 the French High Commissioner in Syria made similar denials to our Consul General at Beirut in regard to Italian activities in the mandated territories.

It is difficult to reconcile these denials with the statements made to you, as reported in the second paragraph of section 3 of your 711, October 8, 4 p.m., particularly the reference to Italian endeavors to stir up trouble in Syria.

We should appreciate your comments on the foregoing.

Hull

26. Not printed.
27. See memorandum by the Under Secretary of State, October 7, vol. ii, p. 884.