740.00112 European War 1939/3109a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Casablanca (Russell)

211. Your 294, July 14, 10 a.m. For Murphy. Before it can consider the extension of the economic plan to French West Africa, the Department would desire to study the comments of General Weygand in regard to the export of peanuts from that area, as well as the reported proposal to substitute peanut oil for olive oil in North Africa thereby making available a substantial quantity of the latter for shipment to the United States.50

It may be added that the failure of the French so far to make any reply to our representations in the matter of olive oil is causing an unfortunate impression here. There is a severe shortage of this product in the American market.

Welles
  1. Further negotiations were unsuccessful and no economic aid agreement for French West Africa was reached.