740.0011 European War 1939/17778

The Commander in Chief of the Free French Naval Forces (Muselier) to the American Minister in Canada (Moffat)15

[Translation]

Mr. Minister: In our interview of this morning you informed me of the point of view of the Government of the United States as to the attitude to take with regard to the wish of the population of St. Pierre-Miquelon to join Free France and with regard to the serious threat to the safety of Atlantic convoys resulting from the existence of cable and wireless communications between Vichy and St. Pierre.

You let me know that the American Government did not consider the moment opportune to carry out the wish of this population in order that repercussions on the policies of the Vichy Government might be avoided. The solution favored by the Government of the United States is the local establishment of a Canadian control of communications.

The desire of Free France has always been to do nothing which could embarrass the policies of the American Government. This desire is, if possible, strengthened in the present phase of the common struggle against Japan, Germany and Italy. That is why I desired to come to an understanding with your Government before taking action. However, I feel it my duty to call to your attention the consequences of the message which you were kind enough to transmit to me. A population of five thousand inhabitants is subject to increasing oppression while its most ardent wish is to join the side of the democracies. A source of important recruiting is closed to the Allied naval effort (amounting to the crews of about fifteen corvettes).

Moreover, a supervision is to be established on French territory, a supervision which will be considered by French public opinion in France and throughout the Empire as derogatory to national sovereignty, [Page 551] and will certainly be made use of by Nazi inspired propaganda which is trying to create the belief that the goal of the Allies is to seize the French colonies. This supervision might also be used as a pretext for a similar demand by Germany on certain French colonies.

On the other hand, joining Free France would have given hope and courage to all Frenchmen who are well aware of our policies of defending the integrity of the French Empire and of participation in the world effort against the totalitarian powers.

Accept [etc.]

E. Muselier

Vice Admiral, Commander in Chief of Free French Naval Forces
National Commissaire of the Navy and the Merchant Fleet
Member of the Council of Defense of the Empire
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in Canada in his despatch No. 2328, December 20; received December 23.