740.00112 European War 1939/2674

The French Ambassador (Henry-Haye) to the Secretary of State

[Translation]

The Ambassador of France has the honor to inform His Excellency the Secretary of State that last February the Ambassador of France at Madrid57a approached the Embassy of Great Britain in Spain with a view to obtaining authorization for the free passage from Madagascar to Djibouti of a French cargo vessel laden with food supplies intended for the French colony of the Somali Coast. The British Government at that time replied in the negative to the démarche made by Mr. Pietri.

During the past three months, the food situation of our colony has become even more acute; on the other hand, in view of the altered [Page 588] situation in West Africa, the British Government could no longer justify a refusal based upon the danger that the food supplies in question might fall into the hands of her enemies. Therefore, the French Government would be grateful to the United States Government if it would be good enough to intervene with the British Government to the end that the latter may authorize, as soon as possible, the free passage of the food ship which we propose to send from Madagascar to Djibouti.

Mr. Henry-Haye is happy [etc.]

  1. François Piétri.