Hopkins Papers: Telegram
The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ( Eden ) to Prime Minister Churchill 1
most secret
most immediate
most immediate
[
London
,] January 13, 1942.
Taut 502. Following for Prime Minister from Foreign Secretary.
Your telegram Grey Number 305 (of January 12th: St. Pierre and Miquelon).2
Cabinet has considered this and, since you deem it essential, agree that I should do my best with General de Gaulle. But they doubt whether it will be possible to obtain his consent and cooperation; and they would feel greatest reluctance to join in coercing him. It would be impossible to justify this to public opinion here.
- 2.
- In any case mention of consultative council in point (iv) is not clear to us. If it means consultative council existing under Vichy regime is now to take over administrative functions, this would be particularly difficult to put to de Gaulle. Indeed it would seem essential that Council which is to be in charge of administration of Islands should be newly elected by Islanders themselves. This should be so stated in communiqué and should help us considerably both with General de Gaulle and with public opinion. The substitution of words “an elected council” would meet this point.
- 3.
- In paragraph 1 (iv) does “present administration” mean Vichy administrator or (?). If so word “present” should be omitted since there is presumably a Gaullist administrator now in Islands.
- 4.
- I will await your reply before speaking to de Gaulle.