740.00112 European War 1939/2417: Telegram

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

84. Monick4a has communicated by an intermediary verbally the following:

Signing of Franco-American accord concerning economic assistance to North Africa has given Weygand confidence and assurance which he previously lacked. The omission of any request for guarantees on the part of the United States is greatly appreciated by him. Weygand feels that he let the French people down in June 1940 through no fault of his own. As he does not desire to do so again he is acting with the greatest care in order to act effectively when an opportunity presents itself. For this reason he is counseling patience and prudence. Owing to the revived self-assurance and confidence which the accord has given him his attitude toward Vichy has been stiffened to a greater degree than ever before. In his recent visit to Vichy Weygand deplored their continued yielding to German demands and put his foot down on the sending of more Germans to North Africa.

The foregoing agrees with information received from British Consul General today who states that according to his information Weygand has taken a strong stand against the sending of more Germans to Morocco. The British Consul General has been informed that as a result nothing more is being heard of the arrival of the 250 additional German members of the Commission mentioned in my 71, March 28, 6 p.m. [March 21, noon].

Childs
  1. Emmanuel Monick, Secretary General of the French Zone of Morocco.