Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/11795: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

London, June 7, 1941—6 p.m.
[Received June 7—2:06 p.m.]

2331. Personal for the President from the Former Naval Person.⁸⁷

• “1. We enter Syria in some force tomorrow morning in order to prevent further German penetration. Success depends largely upon attitude of local French troops. De Gaulle’s⁸⁸ Free French outfit will be prominent, but not in the van. He is issuing a proclamation to the Arabs offering in the name of France complete independence and opportunity to form either 3 or 1 or 3 in 1 free Arab states. Relations of these states with France will be fixed by treaty, safeguarding established interest somewhat on the Anglo-Egyptian model. General Catroux⁸⁹ is not to be called High Commissioner, but French Delegate and Plenipotentiary.
• 2. I cannot tell how Vichy will react to what may happen. I do not myself think they will do much worse than they are now doing, but of course they may retaliate on Gibraltar or Freetown. I should be most grateful if you would keep your pressure upon them. We have no political interests at all in Syria except to win the war.
• 3. Thank you so much for letting Harriman⁹⁰ go to the Middle East. He is seeing your son tomorrow before leaving, and I shall see him myself, I hope, at luncheon Monday.”

Johnson

87. Code name for Winston S. Churchill, British Prime Minister.
88. Gen. Charles de Gaulle, Leader of the Free French.
89. Gen. Georges Catroux.
90. W. Averell Harriman, Special Representative of President Roosevelt in the United Kingdom, with the rank of Minister, responsible for expediting lend-lease aid to the British Empire.