740.0011 European War 1939/12596: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:28 a.m.]
762. Department’s 507, June 24, 8 p.m., and Embassy’s telegram 758, June 27, 5 p.m. Rochat informed us this morning that he had been instructed to say that the French Government is “somewhat surprised at the démarche made by the American Government” for the neutralization of Beirut; that France has made it quite clear she is determined to defend her territory and that it is “only the assailants who could avoid destruction of lives and property in Beirut by refraining from attacking it.”
Rochat also said that still no word of Apostolic Delegate’s suggestion has been received from the Vatican. In fact, he added, the Nuncio had called on him yesterday on a matter of very secondary importance and had made no mention of Syria.
Repeated to Algiers and Beirut.