862.24/631: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers ( Cole ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:59 p.m.]
172. From Murphy. Vichy’s 391, March 14, 5 p.m. The statement made in the French note of March 14 penultimate paragraph to the effect that the French Government would be willing to make an effort to obtain Axis concession permitting France to forego delivery of balance of 1580 tons remaining of 3600 tons gasolines promised for delivery to Libya under December accord is not understood.
I have now received confirmation from a completely reliable source that the total of 3600 tons was delivered to Libya by the end of February. Of this total 1140 tons automotive gasoline were received from France in transit via Algeria and 360 tons automotive and 2000 tons aviation gasoline were taken from Algeria’s docks for shipment to Libya without compensation thus far.
Repeated to Vichy. [Murphy.]