740.0011 European War 1939/8516: Telegram

The Chargé at Tangier (Childs) to the Secretary of State

42. My telegram No. 38, February 18, 6 p.m.81 My British colleague telegraphed yesterday to his Government expressing great concern over the situation in French Africa on two counts: German infiltration into French Morocco and the possibility of native inhabitants being stirred up by German agents.

Great doubt is expressed by him over the wisdom of economic assistance to French North Africa without obtaining some commitment defining more precisely its position politically. Both my British colleague and Eccles are very doubtful about the correctness of Marchal’s82 conclusion that Noguès83 or Weygand will call a halt to the extension of German infiltration should it assume undue proportions.

My British colleague suggests in his telegram three possible ways of dealing with the situation.

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1.
Bringing the French authorities to take a firm line;
2.
The assumption of authority by the Count of Paris now residing Spanish Morocco; or
3.
The introduction of British troops into French Africa by way of Tunisia.
Childs
  1. Not printed.
  2. Léon Marchal, Director of Commerce and Industry, French Zone of Morocco.
  3. Gen. Albert Noguès, Resident General in the French Zone of Morocco.