740.0011 P. W./257: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Leahy )
575. The Department has today received the following telegram from the American Ambassador in Tokyo:
[Here follows quotation of telegram No. 1006, July 16, noon, printed on page 210.]
The President suggests that it would be desirable for you to talk with Marshal Pétain personally as soon as possible regarding this matter, expressing the hope that a decision by the French Government may be put off as long as possible. For your confidential information only, from the standpoint of this Government even should the French Government eventually have to give in (which, unfortunately, seems inevitable), all of the time gained before France gives in is advantageous to the interests of the United States. Any tactics, therefore, which Marshal Pétain’s Government may be able to employ by means of dilatory negotiations to string out the discussions and to postpone the date when actual movement will be undertaken by the Japanese will be highly desirable. Please keep the Department informed by telegram of all the statements which may be made to you in this connection, requesting that your conversations be regarded as completely confidential.