124.516/350: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Morris)

906. Your 876, March 7, 8 p.m. Both Paris and Vichy report that it has not been practicable to utilize the so-called “official mail service” and Paris has not been able to send any correspondence by that route even of a routine and non-confidential nature. You should again take this matter up with the German Foreign Office immediately and point out that although we consider the official mail service not the proper means of communication, we have nevertheless made efforts to utilize it but that even these have failed.

It is essential that some means of communication be found to permit correspondence with representatives of this Government stationed in Paris, to which office a large volume of correspondence is necessary in the protection of American interests in that area. This Government expects that an early solution of the question will be found and that some form of courier service will be permitted. Please emphasize the importance of obtaining an early reply.

Welles