Foreign Relations of the United States, The Conferences at Washington, 1941–1942, and Casablanca, 1943

Hopkins Papers

Memorandum by the President’s Personal Representative (Murphy) to the Presidents Special Assistant (Hopkins)

[Casablanca,] January 22 [23], 1943.²

Mr. Hopkins:

Dear Harry: Giraud had a long talk with Catroux this morning after which he told me that he had found Catroux’ attitude helpful and understanding. In essence Giraud told Catroux for the information of de Gaulle that what Giraud proposed is that Giraud remain Commander in Chief of all French armed forces as a member and titular head of a French War Committee. The Committee would include de Gaulle as a High Commissioner or Commission[er] who would have the direction of the affairs of the territories which he brings into the combination. The Committee would include a third person, possibly General George, as High Commissioner or Commissioner having supervision of North and West Africa. Catroux would be the Committee’s Director of Foreign Affairs, and General Valin—who is also with de Gaulle, would be in charge of Propaganda. Other de Gaulle people would be included one way or another in the setup. Giraud, de Gaulle and George would make their headquarters at Algiers. The military character of the organization would be emphasized—its primary purpose waging the war against the Axis—stressing political calm now during the military operation, and the fact that the French people must be left the decision of the eventual form of French Government.

Under the War Committee would be the Directory or Committee of Governors of the several territories. Under that eventually a consultative body of representative civilians from those territories to be called for example the Federal Council.

Giraud says that he looks at this matter as a matter of plain common sense—there cannot be two bosses in this area if we are to get on with the war. On the other hand he wants to play ball with de Gaulle and to respect his sensibilities. When de Gaulle assumes to talk for France and of conditions in France, Giraud points out that he has lived there much more recently than de Gaulle where Giraud was in touch with the under ground organizations. He feels that possibly de Gaulle may confuse his idea of his own popularity with the French people and the latter’s hatred of the Germans.

General George is still in France and will probably be smuggled out.

Giraud is lunching with de Gaulle and will have a long tete-a-tete after lunch.³

Bob

2. The memorandum is dated January 22, but available evidence indicates that January 23 is the correct date of the conversation. The Giraud–Catroux conversation referred to in the first sentence undoubtedly took place on the morning of January 23. See Catroux, pp. 319–321, and Giraud, pp. 104–105.
3. For accounts of this de Gaulle–Giraud meeting on January 23, see de Gaulle, pp. 89–92 and Giraud, pp. 105–107. De Gaulle and Giraud had previously met on January 22; for accounts of that first meeting, see de Gaulle, p. 85, and Giraud, pp. 101–103.