740.00119 European War 1939/766: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 10—4:35 p.m.]
844. Embassy’s telegram 828, July 8, 6 p.m. General Huntziger telephoned Rochat while we were in the latter’s office this afternoon and requested him to express to the Embassy the “very painful impression” which “the failure of the British to send any reply to the French request for an armistice” has caused. Rochat said that a telegram sent by General Dentz en clair at 10 o’clock this morning reported that severe fighting was then still going on in the Beirut area as well as heavy bombing of the city. The French Government, Rochat went [Page 769] on, is all the more astonished in view of Mr. Churchill’s declaration in the House of Commons “of his satisfaction that an early end could now be made to the useless killing in Syria.” He is unable to understand, Rochat continued, why the British are so long delaying a reply to General Dentz’s armistice request and appointment of negotiators, if they really desire to stop the slaughter. If it continues, the French, he said, may have to take their own steps in retaliation. He added that the French have at no time bombed British towns.
Both General Huntziger and Rochat expressed some indignation at tracts reported to have been dropped over Beirut last night characterizing General Dentz as a coward who had already fled from Beirut deserting his command. Rochat remarked that General Dentz has merely performed his duty obeying orders as a loyal soldier and he found it difficult to find justification for British attacks on his person.
Repeated to London and Beirut.