851.4016/49: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
636. Your 945, July 26, 6 p.m. The answer from the French Government does not agree to treat American citizens as American citizens irrespective of their nationality or religious origin. This is so engrained in the Amercan system of Government that we must insist upon non-discriminatory treatment of American citizens by the French Government as well as by other governments. Consequently it should be made clear that in spite of the somewhat ambiguous language of the French note and its evasion of the requested [Page 512] assurances, we shall nevertheless expect from it uniform treatment as regards American citizens.
You are requested to present these considerations to the Foreign Office in responding to its note forwarded in your telegram under reference.