740.0011 European War 1939/11492: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—5:28 p.m.]
224. Your May 30, 2 p.m. From Murphy. I have discussed this question with a number of North African officials, including the gentleman mentioned in the Department’s telegram. I am informed in strictest confidence (there is little faith in codes and a distinct dread of the indiscretion of the Boston [British?] radio prevailing here) that:
- 1.
- No attack against French Equatorial Africa is possible before September because of the rainy season which is just beginning, and for other technical reasons.
- 2.
- There is no intention or desire on the part of the person in question or his associates to conduct such an operation. He is persuaded that even should he wish to make such an effort, a majority of officers would not follow him.
- 3.
- The French intend to conduct a certain amount of counter radio propaganda in opposition to the continuous De Gaulle radio broadcasts from Equatorial Africa which frequently indulge in vicious personal attacks on French West African officials.
The person mentioned in the Department’s telegram is postponing his trip to French West Africa until June 7. He would be grateful if the Department could give some hint of what is happening to the plan of economic cooperation. [Murphy.]