740.00112 European War 1939/5352: Telegram

The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State

265. From Murphy. Admiral Fénard, Secretary General for French Africa, asked me to call for a discussion of several economic questions including the shipments of alcohol from Algeria to French West Africa (see Department’s 87, March 30, 8 p.m.31). It appears that it has been found impracticable to send Diesel motor trucks to French West Africa. Fénard pleads that we interpose no objection to shipment of Algerian alcohol to French West Africa at this time because such opposition fortifies the position of those elements who would like to see the North African accord entirely eliminated. Under the accord these opponents assert that France receives no benefits having obtained no merchandise for months whereas its hands are tied by the restrictive provisions of the accord. The clause against reexport, Fénard points out, was designed to restrict exports to Europe rather than the exchange of commodities among the four territories of French Africa.

Does the Department wish to review this question which has some importance in respect of the situation of our control organization in French North Africa? It is not impossible that Vichy may decide [Page 293] that as we have taken the initiative suspending the accord its restrictive provisions become ipso facto inoperative.

Fénard is proceeding to Vichy April 28 for a discussion of the foregoing and other economic questions relating to French Africa.

He also expects to obtain Darlan’s private view on current developments. The Admiral indulged in a long expose of the situation of the French naval units at Toulon (he formerly commanded the Dunkerque) stating that based on information from the “best sources” he could assure me positively that these ships were in no danger of being turned over to the Axis. He asserted that Allied countries in causing so much effervescence over Laval (whom personally he detests) and moving towards a rupture of relations with France are playing directly into the hands of the Axis.

Admiral Fénard has become vehemently pro-American and quite openly states that France’s whole problem revolves around the question when the United States is going to be able to supply France adequate military equipment to enable it to fight its way out of its present predicament.

Repeated to Vichy and Tangier. [Murphy.]

Cole
  1. Ante, p. 275.