740.0011 European War 1939/13595: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt ( Kirk ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—9:20 a.m.]
1042. My 981, July 19, 7 p.m. With further reference to the conditions stipulated for the surrender of the Vichy forces in French Somaliland the Legation is confidentially informed that the British have specified that capitulation must be direct to the Free French and that any counter-proposal in this respect will be refused; that the Free French will be provided necessary supplies for the relief of the population following surrender; that persons not wishing to join the Free French will be repatriated but that this privilege will not be extended to persons found guilty of sabotage of harbor or railway facilities which should be handed ever intact. It is explained [Page 591] that the essential differences between the cases of Syria and French Somaliland are that the latter has colonial status and that it is anticipated that capitulation when effected will be without hostilities.