851A.01/79
The French Ambassador (Henry-Haye) to the Secretary of State
By order of his Government, the Ambassador of France has the honor to impart to His Excellency the Secretary of State the following communication drafted at Vichy December 27:
“The French Government has noted with satisfaction the declaration whereby the American Government disapproved the action undertaken against St. Pierre and Miquelon.
“But it deems that the condition of political and pecuniary dependence in which the Gaullist leaders find themselves with respect to the Imperial authorities and the support which ex-Admiral Muselier must have received in English or Canadian territory impose upon it the obligation to request of the Governments concerned the immediate reestablishment of the status quo ante.
“Such reestablishment would involve in the first place the evacuation of the territory by the Gaullist mercenaries and the reinstallation of the Governor in his functions.
“The French Government would attach the greatest value to obtaining at this time precise indications as to the measures taken to this end by the Governments concerned.”
Mr. Henry-Haye is happy [etc.]