851.33/211: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—11:30 a.m.]
1531. My 1523, December 11, 7 p.m.51 We called on Rochat this evening who officially delivered to us three memoranda containing the replies to the question [s] I delivered yesterday [to] Marshal Pétain in the form of three memoranda. He said that “the Marshal has been happy to give you complete satisfaction and assurances on all the questions which you raised.”
The following is a translation of the first memorandum dealing with the points raised in Department’s 898, December 6, 4 p.m.
“Referring to the note handed by Admiral Leahy to Marshal Pétain and Admiral Darlan on December 11 the French Government renews the assurances that the French Fleet will not be utilized against Great Britain except in the case of hostile action on her part and that French territory will not be used as a base for operations by German armed forces.
It also renews the assurance that the departure of General Weygand did not entail any change in the political position of France in North Africa or any modification of the status governing these territories.
On the other hand it confirms the agreement concluded on March 10 between the Embassy of the United States at Vichy and the French Government on the basis of the memorandum drawn up following the conversation of February 26, 1941, between General Weygand and Mr. Murphy.51a
It hopes that the renewal of these assurances will cause the American Government to resume the program of supply for North Africa. It would be happy to receive confirmation thereof.”
[Here follow translations of the second and third memoranda concerning Martinique and French neutrality, printed on pages 200–201.]
After handing us these notes, Rochat said that he was particularly glad that we had brought up the possibility of continuing our economic assistance to North Africa at this time. While he understands that as a result of our entry into war the possibility of our giving economic assistance to North Africa, as originally envisaged, may have to undergo drastic change, he said that the continuation of our economic assistance to North Africa will strengthen at the present time France’s hand in resisting German demands there. He went on to say that if we resume sending supplies to North Africa, the French will be in a position to argue with the Germans that any additional material concessions [Page 499] to them insofar as North Africa is concerned will lead to the discontinuation of our program and will create a “serious situation very disadvantageous to the Germans insofar as North Africa is concerned.”
We asked him whether he really believed the French Government could resist a German demand or ultimatum for the withdrawal of code privileges and the departure of our consulates from North Africa. He replied with embarrassment that he could not answer this question. He went on to say that France would resist German demands in this regard with every possible argument but only the future can tell what the final decision will be. He stated that up to the present time no demands have been received from the Germans insofar as this mission or any of our consulates are concerned.
Repeated to Algiers for Murphy.