740.0011 European War 1930/8163: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State

164. Department’s 112, February 4, 8 p.m. I saw Marshal Pétain at noon today and delivered to him orally the President’s message. He expressed his appreciation for the comforting assurances contained therein. He stated that he had just learned this morning (through a telegram from Henry-Haye following his conversation with the Under Secretary23) of the difficulties with respect to Murphy’s return to North Africa. The Marshal stated that he has no objection to [Page 111] Murphy’s return to North Africa. Flandin came in during the conversation and stated that the French Government had not intended “to refuse” Murphy authorization to return to North Africa but had desired to point out that such a visit, in view of the present delicate situation and in view of German pressure to send German commissions to North Africa, would be inopportune.

The French Government, however, is quite happy to change its decision and has no objection to further conversations between Murphy and General Weygand at Algiers. He did hope, however, that we would appreciate the inadvisability of having Murphy return to Dakar; it had been his visit there which had aroused the principal comment and interest on the part of the Germans.

Flandin had with him Henry-Haye’s telegram from which he read excerpts indicating, with respect to the provisioning of metropolitan France, anxiety on our part over reports that the greater portion of foodstuffs arriving at Marseilles was going to occupied France. (Department’s telegram 891, December 27, 5 p.m. and Embassy’s reply 5, January 2, 6 p.m.24)

The Marshal said that there is an agreement with the Germans whereby 25% of the peanut oil derived from peanuts imported from Senegal is transmitted to the occupied zone for the consumption of the French civil population which would otherwise be completely without oil. There is, however, an equivalent counterpart in shipments of other products, notably wheat from the occupied to the unoccupied zone. (Flandin promised the figures this afternoon. Please see Embassy’s No. 58, January 15, 8 p.m.) If the Germans should cut off suddenly these shipments of wheat, the unoccupied zone would be without bread by the 15th of March. In fact for a period of 4 days last week the town of Montpellier had been completely lacking in bread. The estimates of the needed 6 million quintals of wheat imports for the unoccupied zone are based on receipt of certain quantities here from the occupied territory. If these are not forthcoming the 6 million quintal estimate will have to be revised upward. Of course, he went on to say, the French could “take reprisals” and refuse to send peanut oil, spring vegetables and fruit to the occupied zone. However, this is a reprisal which would strike solely the French civil population of the occupied zone. The Germans, said the Marshal, are using the line of demarcation as a bit in the horse’s mouth which they curb at will by cutting off telephone communications, transit of the line and all traffic between the two zones. He hoped we would understand the situation with which he is faced.

I asked the Marshal whether, in view of the grave difficulties which are now confronting his Government, there was anything which he [Page 112] felt free to talk over. He replied that Admiral Darlan had gone back this morning to Paris. After his return to Vichy, probably tomorrow, if there are developments he will send for me. He added: “There is nothing I wish to hide from you, especially as concerns our difficulties.” (Had Flandin not been present he would perhaps have talked more freely.)

In conclusion, he again thanked the President for his message and both he and Flandin spoke of the encouragement given them by Henry-Haye’s report that Lord Halifax had assured the Under Secretary that the British Government had agreed in principle to the supplying of North Africa.

The Marshal seemed tired and nervous, but alert.

Leahy
  1. See memorandum by the Under Secretary of State, February 4, p. 217.
  2. Neither printed.