740.0011 European War 1939/10076: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 18—10:35 a.m.]
456. Embassy’s 455, April 17, 1 p.m. Rochat confirmed to Matthews17 this afternoon that the French Government has agreed to German demands to send between 130 and 140 additional members of their Control Commission to North Africa to supervise the “reduction in effectives” and to “control war industries” in that area. Ostensibly they are to replace the Italians but he said “a few” of the latter will remain. He said that the Germans based their demand on articles 6, 8 and 12 of the Armistice Convention and that this, with the original 60 already in North Africa, of which some 20 were officers, would bring the total of the German Control Commissions in that area to some 200. He admitted that the great majority of them will reside at Casablanca. Of the new members he said the number of officers would be “relatively small” and the remainder would be orderlies, chauffeurs and crews of the “liaison airplanes.” He stated that the French have constantly called the attention of the Germans to the special “political conditions” obtaining in that area, and the usual angles involved in the application of the Armistice Convention to North Africa but apparently without much success. They had succeeded, however, he said, in obtaining a German “promise” that the activities of the Commission would be strictly limited to inspection and control of military organization and installations. We told him of the extremely unfortunate impression this will create in the United States at the very time when we are embarking on the plan for supplying North Africa. He frankly admitted that the Control Commission was in his opinion “larger than necessary” and suggested that we should, in view thereof, keep a closer [Page 292] watch on the destination of supplies from the United States for that region as well as of German activities; but he begged that we take no drastic action such as cancellation or curtailment of the program.
He emphasized that the quantities involved will permit no accumulation of stocks. To our remark that a somewhat better impression would have been made had the French Government frankly told us of its acceptance of the German demand before we learned of it elsewhere, pointing out the general lack of frankness which has been displayed at times in the Government’s dealings with the Embassy since last summer, he replied that the final details have not yet been settled and that the French Government is still arguing with the Germans with respect to certain minor details. He held out little or no hope, however, of any reversal of the decision to admit the additional Germans.
We asked if he really believes that the Nazis intend to limit their personnel in North Africa to this 200 and he merely shrugged his shoulders. To our remark that their mere presence there and interest in reducing French effectives in Africa seems a sure sign of ultimate designs to obtain by one means or another control of French North Africa, he replied that while the French, Noguès in particular, are considerably worried, that they can hardly go against the provisions of the Armistice.
We referred in conclusion to the reports that through De Brinon Germans are obtaining authorization to go directly from occupied territory to Morocco without reference to Government at Vichy. He said that he likewise has heard these reports and is making prompt inquiry of De Brinon with the object of stopping any such procedure if it does in fact exist.
I have asked for an interview as soon as possible with Marshal Pétain alone to discuss the question and likewise the points raised in the Department’s telegram 291, April 3, 5 p.m.18
Repeated to Casablanca.