740.00112 European War 1939/5625
The Secretary of War (Stimson) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference your request made at the termination of the conference in your office on Saturday, May 30, dealing with the matter of control officers in Northwest Africa, the following statement of the War Department attitude in the premises is furnished for your information.
The War Department finds the information received from the control officers of considerable value in checking reports received from other sources. The maintenance of a favorable public opinion in Northwest Africa due to the activities of control officers in distributing foodstuffs and other articles for local consumption, while of no particular moment at this time, may be of no inconsiderable importance in event that the military situation in Northwest Africa or in Equatorial Africa changes materially. The continued presence of these officers is dependent upon the maintenance of a relatively steady flow of supplies to North Africa, even though the volume of such shipments is extremely small.
The War Department realizes, of course, that the political situation may change at any time, due to factors over which we have no control, but until such a change takes place, it is believed advisable for military reasons to continue the small shipments contemplated, and to maintain control officers in connection therewith in Northwest Africa.
Sincerely yours,