851.30/178: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France ( Tuck )

411. Your 956, July 1, 7 p.m. You should immediately transmit the following message to Laval:

The President is, of course, deeply concerned that the French men of war now at Alexandria should under no circumstances fall into the hands of the German or Italian military or naval forces. The President is equally deeply interested in the restoration of these ships to France at the end of the war. He has, therefore, so informed the British Government and now makes the following suggestion and offer to the French Government.

The President proposes that the French ships at Alexandria be placed in the protective custody of the United States which is to include passage of the French ships through the Suez Canal and thence to a secure and remote port of asylum for the duration of the war in a port of the United States or other American republic to be mutually agreed upon with the guarantee of the return of the French ships to France at the end of the war.

The President feels that this proposal is in the interest of France. However, if this offer on behalf of the United States is not accepted by the French Government, the British, knowing of this offer, would of course be properly and wholly justified in ordering the French ships through the Suez Canal, and if the order were not obeyed would be wholly justified in destroying the ships to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy.

The President trusts that this reasonable proposal can be accepted for the honor of France.

Hull