740.00112 European War 1939/2274: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Leahy ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:50 p.m.]
249. Department’s 81, February 8, to Lisbon. Murphy returned from Africa last evening bringing with him the following memorandum of his conversation with General Weygand at Algiers on February 26. The memorandum is initialed by General Weygand:
“The general phases of the supply of French North Africa with commodities essential to maintain the economic structure in that area were discussed. It was emphasized in the conversation that any agreement on this subject would be, of course, for negotiation between Marshal Pétain’s Government and the United States Government in Washington.
[Page 227]However, for the purpose of establishing immediately the progress made in the conversations at Lisbon and Tangier on this subject, and to permit the shipment at once of certain goods already ordered in the United States, it was considered necessary to prepare this memorandum, subject naturally to Marshal Pétain’s approval.
The proposal of the American Government which General Weygand is disposed to recommend to Marshal Pétain contemplates that the shipment of supplies to French North Africa: (1) will not result in building up excessive stocks of commodities; (2) that steps will be taken to insure that such goods, as well as similar goods, shall be consumed in French North Africa and shall not be reexported in any form; (3) with the foregoing in mind the American Government would be authorized to designate American officials for control purposes at ports and on the railways; (4) in the event of a violation of the understanding that such goods would not be reexported, American economic cooperation with French North Africa would automatically and permanently terminate.
The American Government, it was understood, would be prepared to facilitate the supply of the essential needs of French Morocco, and also Algeria and Tunisia—as well as to unblock adequate French funds now in the United States for the purpose, subject to the foregoing conditions.
It was also thought desirable for the successful operation of this understanding that an economic and trade expert, qualified in French African affairs, would be appointed in the United States. Such expert would be attached to the French Embassy in Washington.”
Prior to communicating to Marshal Pétain the concern to which reference is made in your telegram 161, February 21, 1 p.m., over reports that the arrival of German personnel in French North Africa, particularly Casablanca, would indicate a German infiltration which might, if established, destroy the basis of confidence for the negotiation of an agreement for the supply of North Africa and essential commodities, I desired to have the benefit of whatever information Murphy might have obtained on his recent visit to French Africa.
General Weygand gave to Murphy the following statement of the German and Italian Armistice Commission effectives now in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: (figures below should be grouped under the following four headings: officers; noncommissioned officers; soldiers; civilians)
“Morocco: Italians 22, 10, 18, 7; Germans 12, 16, 14 plus 10 (mechanics), 2 (Auer and Klaubbe); Algeria: Italians 53, 41, 69, 8; Germans 2 liaison officers; Tunisia: Italians 57, 31, 67, 10; Germans 2 liaison officers.[”]
According to General Weygand there are no German or Italian official representatives of any description now in French West Africa.
Marshal Pétain is on the point of departure for a trip of 2 or 3 days. I plan to see him immediately on his return.
[Page 228]Murphy reports that as a result of his recent visits to Rabat, Casablanca and Algiers he is convinced that we should not be dissuaded from any plan of economic cooperation with French Africa because of the recent arrival of German armistice delegates in French North Africa. General Noguès told Murphy at rabat that he is keeping closely in touch with every move which the German delegates make; that their initial action relates to a verification of military supplies and that they are engaging in a survey of the mineral resources of Morocco. Noguès is convinced that the German purpose is to keep in close touch with the situation in Morocco, to prevent the development of an hostile French organization there and to study the Moroccan economic possibilities with a view to their future exploitation. Noguès said that most of the German officers are unacquainted with Moroccan conditions and it will be a considerable period before they are qualified for any useful service among the Arab population.
Murphy told both Weygand and Noguès that reports have reached us that the Germans were engaged or were planning to engage in subversive activities among the natives in Morocco. Both said that they had heard these rumors but that they were not substantiated. Weygand said that he was proceeding to French Morocco within several days to make a personal investigation; that if he found evidence of such subversive activities he would make an energetic protest to Marshal Pétain and insist that measures be taken to put a stop to such activity.
Both Weygand and Noguès asserted that British fears regarding invasion of French Morocco by the Germans along Norwegian lines are not justified. They said that should the Germans make such an effort, they were prepared for a stubborn resistance. Noguès went so far as to say that it would take the Germans 20 years to capture Morocco.
Both Weygand and Noguès emphasized to Murphy the urgent need for economic support if the French position in Africa is not to be seriously impaired. They pointed out that obviously the Germans and Italians are opposed to American cooperation because they wish the French position to be weakened.
I am confident that the idea of our economic collaboration with French West Africa is sound; that such cooperation is both in the French and British interest.
In that connection, Murphy has brought with him the text of a draft of a suggested Franco-American agreement for conclusion by an exchange of notes regarding commercial exchanges between French North Africa and the United States. I shall telegraph this text in a separate telegram.46
[Page 229]I should also be grateful if the Department would advise me of the status of the shipment of motor fuel mentioned in the Department’s telegram 20, February 20, 10 p.m., to Murphy at Tangier and its probable date of sailing. It would be helpful to me in my forthcoming conversation with Marshal Pétain to be able to give him accurate information in regard to this shipment.
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