740.0011 European War 1939/11490: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 31—9:45 a.m.]
222. From Murphy. General Weygand on his return from Morocco asked me to call. He said that at Casablanca General Schultheis, a comparatively young aviation officer who arrived a few days ago to take charge of the German Armistice Delegation in Morocco, called to pay his respects. Weygand tactfully brought to his attention the fact that he had ordered the execution of two important Arabs charged with treason. The Arabs had been in contact with the German Armistice Delegation. Weygand said grimly: “They will learn I am not playing with them.” He also said that there is no material change in the general situation in French Morocco. He is convinced of the loyalty to France of the Sultan and the important native chiefs.
Weygand said that he is anxious to learn developments in Washington regarding the execution of the plan of economic cooperation under the agreement of February 26.88b Many stories are current about the reasons for the interception of the Schéhérazade. A certain minority element is seeking to capitalize the failure of Weygand to obtain deliveries under the plan as proof of American and British insincerity. That minority is vocal, he said, just as some minorities such as the Lindbergh89 group are vocal in the United States, asserting that France can only look to Germany for its future welfare.
The General in reaffirming that the French African situation is unchanged, said that he refused to be discouraged over the Schéhérazade incident and was confident the United States would see the value of a loyal execution of the economic plan. Obviously he wishes those advantages to flow to the United States rather than some other power. He hopes that as the time element is important that the Department will soon be in position to advise him of its intentions. He plans to leave early next week for a 15-day inspection trip in French West Africa.
Weygand also declared that newspaper reports of his speech at Fez were distorted. He insisted that he did not voice approval or disapproval of present Vichy policy. He has always considered that public criticism of the French Government’s policy is not his function. [Page 355] He does stand for discipline and order in French Africa because in his opinion that is the only way in which anything of a useful nature can be accomplished. In demanding loyalty to the Marshal, Weygand emphasized that Petain had never suggested that any Frenchman abate his hatred or change his affections.
Weygand then referred to the President’s address90 from which he seemed to derive much encouragement. He regretted that he had not as yet received the full text for study and said that he was in doubt whether the President had referred to the West African ports, especially Dakar, as already German-occupied. I told him that I had listened to the President’s broadcast and could assure him that the President had referred to the possibility of occupation by the Germans of such ports and the threat to American security that such occupation would then imply. Weygand expressed satisfaction saying that he fully understood the President’s point of view.
I might add that I was in Weygand’s headquarters when the news flash of the sinking of the Bismarck was received. The elation or rather jubilation which followed was in happy contrast with the acute depression prevailing over the sinking of the Hood. It provided an index of the basic sympathy which is noticeable throughout representative elements here. [Murphy.]