740.0011 European War 1939/18350: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:30 p.m.]
25. From Murphy. Under the changed circumstances resulting from our entry into the war as a belligerent I wonder whether the Department is in position to give some indication of its desires regarding the policy to be followed by our officers in French Africa who are frequently approached by French military personnel and officials who desire to transfer their activity to the Allied forces. [Page 229] Generally it has been our policy to inform such persons that there was nothing which could be done to assist them.
Might I suggest that this matter be left to the discretion of the respective officers for discreet treatment in cooperation with British authorities? It would be helpful to have the Department’s comment. [Murphy.]