851.30/191: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 15—2:32 p.m.]
1241. Personal for the Acting Secretary. Your 735, July 14, 6 p.m. I have brought the complete statement in question to the attention of the British propaganda officials through the Minister of State who I learn has been kept advised of the progress of these negotiations and I have stated to him the exact terms of your request. A certain reserve was expressed as to the advisability of communicating to the personnel of the Fleet that portion of the statement relating to the right of the British in the event of certain eventualities to order the French vessels to pass through the Canal and in case of refusal to destroy them rather than allow them to pass to the enemy. I made it clear that my instructions related to the “full statement” and that my request was based thereon and I pointed out that the statement as it appeared in the Radio Bulletin would doubtless receive full publicity elsewhere irrespective of the form in which it was communicated to the personnel of the French Fleet by the British propaganda officials. I shall inform you of the final action taken by these officials in this regard.