851.4016/49: Telegram

The Ambassador in France ( Leahy ) to the Secretary of State

945. Department’s 515, June 27, 7 p.m. On July 1 the Embassy addressed a note to the Foreign Minister embodying the considerations [Page 511] set forth in the Department’s telegram under reference. The following is a translation of a reply dated July 24:

“Mr. Ambassador:

“By your note of July 1, in compliance with instructions received from the Department of State, Your Excellency set forth the reasons why it appeared to the American Government that the laws of June 2, 1941, should not be applied to America[n] nationals; at the same time Your Excellency requested me to inform you whether it was the intention of the French Government to except American citizens of Jewish origin from the application of these laws.

“Your Excellency is aware that for reasons of national policy the French Government, following the events of June 1940, was led to adopt general measures destined to ensure the recovery of the country. Among these measures it appeared necessary to establish special laws for Israelites, which laws by providing for the examination of individual circumstances, render possible the granting of extensive derogations. It is to this end that the Government decreed the census of Israelites, Under these circumstances the American Government may be assured that the status acquired in France by its nationals of Jewish origin will be maintained in the greatest measure and that specific cases will be examined by the public authorities as liberally as is compatible with the letter and spirit of the laws in question.

“I hope that these explanations will satisfy the Government of the United States of America and provide it with the requested reassurances. F. Darlan.”69

The Counselor of the Brazilian Embassy has shown us the text of a note similar in substance to ours addressed by his Ambassador to the French Government and latter’s reply which is almost identical with the foregoing.

Leahy
  1. Adm. Jean Francois Darlan, Vice President of the French Council of Ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Navy, and Interior.