740.00112 European War 1939/2228b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé at Tangier ( Childs )
20. Please deliver the following message to Murphy and inform the Department whether it has been possible to do so:
“In connection with the matter of stationing American observers at ports and railways to supervise the distribution of supplies to North Africa (see Department’s No. 81, February 8 to Lisbon), the British authorities are insisting that some measure of control be established with regard to the tanker of petroleum products which is shortly to be dispatched to Casablanca. The British Embassy was informed that in connection with the first shipment of petroleum products to North Africa the Department deemed it well to make some sort of gesture indicating readiness to place credence in the assurances already given by the Vichy Government and by General Weygand and to avoid the appearance from the start of condemning their good faith. It was further stated that the moment you had finished your discussions with General Weygand the Department would be prepared to instruct the consular authorities at Casablanca to be in close touch with the French port authorities in North Africa as to the distribution of this first cargo of petroleum products. It is anticipated that a cargo not exceeding 15,000 tons of motor fuel will be loaded on the French tanker Frimaire which is due to arrive at Baytown, Texas, about February 20 for this purpose. A navicert is being required.”
Refer to second section of your 32, February 15, 9 a.m.44
- Not printed.↩