740.0011 European War 1939/9473: Telegram
The Consul at Casablanca (Stanton) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31—2 p.m.]
125. Marjolin, Monick’s former Chef de Cabinet, called yesterday to say goodbye and introduce his successor, Manet, who was Monick’s assistant when the latter was French Financial Attaché in London. Marjolin has been granted leave to visit the United States on private business and sailed today by way of Martinique.
Mayer7 had lunch and a long conversation with them. They told him that the situation in North Africa is evolving rapidly and may soon reach a crucial phase. Weygand has become much more resolute and was resisting energetically German attempts to make further inroads here. For instance he was trying to block plan of the Germans to send a General to head the Armistice Commission here and add a dozen more officers and men to its staff. He had given orders that baggage and other shipments consigned to the Commissions should no longer be passed by the customs without examination. However, Vichy was not giving Weygand the support he should have and he might not be able to hold out without moral and material assistance. For obvious reasons he could have no dealings with the British and only the United States could give the support he needs. The shipment of supplies under the recent agreement with us should be expedited. The Department should have a representative in permanent contact [Page 283] with Weygand who would have both the General’s and the Department’s full confidence, someone of Murphy’s caliber, Marjolin suggested. We should send more businessmen here; they would be evidence to all that we are interested in the fate of North Africa.
It was intimated that Weygand would even be glad to discuss plans for eventual American military action here should we be willing to go so far.
Marjolin and Manet, who obviously were speaking on behalf of Monick, made it plain that the latter hopes that there may be some prompt reaction to the suggestions they had made.
It is our impression that Monick and his assistants are determined, straightforward, wholeheartedly in favor of the same principles for which we stand.
Repeated to Tangier.
- Ernest de Wael Mayer, Vice Consul at Casablanca.↩