740.0011 European War 1939/18266: Telegram
The Consul at Tunis (Doolittle) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 8—9:13 a.m.]
4. For Secretary and Under Secretary. I have again been approached by Arab leaders who profess anxiety over present situation. This group which controls local Arab opinion has been working lately to create pro-American and pro-British sentiment in which it has noticeably succeeded.
Frankly, they want to get rid of French and set up autonomous Arab state under Anglo-Saxon protection. Their organization is allied with similar movements in Morocco and Algeria and has connections with other Arab states in Near East.
In case their services are of interest they are ready to intensify pro-Ally campaign and under guidance of outside technicians prepare for active work and if given arms even military resistance in Tunisia against Axis move or assist an Allied occupation. Arrangements can be made for landing agents.
This would naturally be in exchange for joint guarantee of future independence on lines of Egypt. No de Gaullist37 generals are wanted.
[Page 227]French policy here is a complete mystery. While sentiments expressed privately are pro-Ally every act is positively pro-Axis and I am regretfully coming to conclusion that no help may be expected from French.
Although adoption of Arab cause here would mean break with France the sympathy it would kindle in the Islamic world would be of enormous benefits.
Even if the French should again take up arms which seems doubtful the Arabs would be reluctant to see French rule thus perpetuated and would follow only if assured of home rule after war. (See my dispatches on this.)
- Gen. Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces and President of the National Committee of the Free French at London.↩