740.0011 European War 1939/8107: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)
112. Your 153 bis, February 3, 9 p.m.19 The President desires you to call as soon as possible upon Marshal Pétain and communicate to him orally, without leaving any copy, the following personal message from the President:
“I wish to send you in the moments of great difficulty which you are confronting a personal message of sympathy and of understanding. I am following with the closest attention all of the information which Ambassador Leahy is sending me with regard to developments in the present situation and I earnestly hope that the outcome may be favorable to the continuation of the free and independent France for which you have fought with such steadfast courage and determination.
From every indication reaching me, the situation is becoming more hopeful both in Europe and in the Far East for the liberation of those peoples who have suffered aggression.
I am further hopeful that the prompt distribution of the supplies now being sent to unoccupied France through the American Red Cross for the relief of the children of France may be accomplished in such a manner and so successfully as to make it possible for further additional shipments from the United States to be promptly made.
I am also hopeful that a satisfactory agreement can promptly be reached for the furnishing of additional supplies from the United States for French North Africa. As you will understand, however, it is essential in order that such an agreement can be satisfactorily [Page 109] concluded for Mr. Murphy, the Counselor of the Embassy at Vichy, to be permitted to return to North Africa. I trust that this arrangement can soon be made and that a commercial agreement satisfactory to both of our countries may soon be consummated.
Please accept the assurance of my highest personal regard.”
We have very much in mind the considerations advanced in the last paragraph of your telegram under reference.20 It would seem highly desirable for you to transmit the above message from the President to Marshal Pétain in the strictest confidence and, if possible, without the presence of any other member of the Government.
Please report by telegram as quickly as possible the results of your interview.