740.0011 European War 1939/13867: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12—9:55 a.m.]
1011. We saw Weygand’s confidential representative in Vichy this afternoon. The latter had lunched with the General just prior to his departure by plane for Algiers. He said that Weygand was returning to North Africa “quite contented as far as important questions affecting this area are concerned.”
On certain internal questions of policy “such as the treatment of Freemasons, labor problems, et cetera” our informant said that the General is not in accord with the present Government but recognizes that these are matters quite outside his field. He confirmed reports that several Cabinet changes are impending, including the ousting of Jacques Valier [Chevalier?] (not for his pro-British sympathies but for his completely impractical and academic approach to current problems). “You may assure Washington,” said our informant, “that as far as German penetration into Africa is concerned, nothing has changed. I don’t say that 3 weeks or a month from now the pressure may not be too strong to resist concessions, but certainly for the moment our position remains what it was and no additional facilities to the Germans of any sort have been decided upon.[”]
In reply to our questioning, he confirmed that the Germans have again expressed interest in Africa, particularly in obtaining rights of passage for material through Bizerte (either under a tortured interpretation of article XX of the Italian Armistice Convention or of article XV of the German Armistice Convention or otherwise), and in concessions of even greater import. He likewise confirmed the accuracy of reports reaching us from other sources that German pressure is not yet in the acute or “ultimatum” stage but merely in the form of “suggestions”. Weygand had insisted, he said, that nothing should be done to mar the “cordiality” of relations with the United States in North Africa and was quite satisfied on this score with his visit. He left, our informant said, “to let them have their little Cabinet meeting and discuss their internal changes of government as they want.”
[Page 411]On the other hand, he said, the General is disturbed at recent articles in the American and British press urging a direct American move against Dakar; such articles merely increase German suspicions of American intentions in the African area and under [make?] Weygand’s position that much more difficult. Our informant recognized with our freedom of press such expressions of view cannot be controlled but emphasized again (our telegram No. 927 July 24, 3 p.m.) the desirability of the utmost discretion at the present juncture and said that he was speaking in, this respect for General Weygand.
He made light of the recent decree (Embassy’s 987, August 7, 11 a.m.66) with respect to the administrative handling of North African affairs at Vichy and said that the General is satisfied with the way affairs in that respect are going.
The difficult position of the German Army in Libya, he said, is certain to increase pressure on France as regards Tunis within the next few weeks; he has the “impression” that the Germans are more interested in the means of getting their troops out of Libya than in sending more in. “The Russian situation has certainly strengthened our hand and I personally doubt whether the Germans at the present time are in a position to force an issue with us. Of course, if they can get concessions voluntarily from us that is all to their gain, but I do not believe that they are prepared to use force directly. They are tightening up the line of demarcation again and there is always the question of the prisoners. Our position is really a tragic one and we hope you will understand it.”
He likewise confirmed that the Germans are again pressing for Monick’s withdrawal from Morocco but “even if they succeed” he said “that will change nothing and we are countering with a request for Auer’s withdrawal. Perhaps we can drag on the discussion for some time”.
Algiers, Tangier, Casablanca informed.
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