740.00112 European War 1939/2830: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Algiers (Cole)
132. For Murphy. Your 231, June 8, 6 p.m. Although we were much concerned regarding the possibilities that the developing situation in Syria and the meeting at Vichy might seriously affect the plans for economic assistance to North Africa, you may now assure the French authorities for transmission to Weygand that our desire to continue economic aid to North Africa has not changed nor have we desisted from conversations with the British Government regarding the desirability of going ahead with the plan.
You should get word to Weygand, however, that our program for economic cooperation with North Africa is limited by the fact that no vessels leaving this country for French ports are permitted by the Armistice Commission to return to American ports despite official French assurances and despite the fact that such ships as the Leopold [Page 374] L. D. and the Ile de Ré are intended for transport of needed supplies to North Africa. It will be impossible to obtain the release of the Schéhérazade which we are discussing with the British unless the Frimaire is permitted to leave Casablanca for an American destination (see Vichy’s No. 650, June 7, 4 p.m.6 repeated to you). Therefore, unless Weygand may take action to assure the return of these three vessels covered by the previous guarantees, the program of economic assistance with which we are ready to proceed will again “bog down”.
As we understand the situation, events are bringing General Weygand’s position and ours closer together in keeping the Germans out of North Africa. From the information we have received we are inclined to believe that the Germans will not wish to raise the North African issue at the present because of their plans elsewhere. This does not, however, mean that the Germans will not try to induce the Vichy Government to take some action in North Africa which will be inimical to the preservation of the independence of these territories. This might conceivably take the form of use by the French of their naval units in North African ports. Such action would, of course, have the most unfortunate repercussions upon American public opinion and upon the attitude of this Government, and could not in any way be justified by the present stage of developments.
- Not printed.↩