851.01/473: Telegram
The Consul at Tunis (Doolittle) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 4—9:32 a.m.]
75. In interview with Admiral Esteva this morning he informed me that while he had not obtained all he wished at Vichy he was not discouraged. There had never been any question of surrendering all or any part of Tunisia to Italians. He further stated that even friendly French circles had been hurt by tone of American note about Martinique51 although that question seemed on way to settlement. His talks at Vichy had convinced him that Laval was not so much in hands of Germans as we tried to make out but it was true for Doriot, Déat and others of that stripe. The whole matter was one of gaining [Page 305] time and we should note no marked changes had been effected by Laval.
On general situation he observed that best informed Germans in France openly expressed doubt they could cope with Russia this year which, he implied, might mean never. He again warned me Italians were demanding expulsion of this Consulate on ground of alleged intrigues against them.
Repeated Vichy.