740.0011 European War 1939/22131: Telegram
The Chargé at Tangier (Childs) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:20 p.m.]
258. Sentiment in French Morocco for United States and the Allies was never so widespread or so openly expressed by the French themselves as today. An official at the Residency estimates fully 80 percent of the people of Morocco are now wholeheartedly for United States with 10 percent indifferent and 10 percent still perhaps for one reason or another hostile.
The marked upswing in our favor and a widespread and greater confidence in our ultimate victory which has developed particularly the past 6 weeks is attributed to the following:
- (1)
- Laval’s advent to power.
- (2)
- Germany’s check in Russia at Kharkov.
- (3)
- Strength of British bombings of Cologne and Essen which have made a tremendous impression.
- (4)
- Recognition of the growing strength we are showing and confidence given by the initiative being taken by the United Nations.
(A military officer who reports periodically to Vichy concerning public reaction informed me the British occupation of Madagascar had been reported by him as having evoked no appreciable reaction [apparent omission] response was favorable to us other than the contrary.[)]
At the same time Residency officials who exceeded the [apparent omission] friendliness emphasize the necessity for the greatest prudence. As one high official has put it “Laval has determined to give way to the Germans only in small things but not in matters of importance (thus he refused to give up General Giraud at the German demand) but he will not hesitate, and understandably, to sacrifice [Page 311] us as individuals upon complaints that our actions indicate too friendly a disposition to the United States and Great Britain.” For this reason Noguès is more and more disinclined to take any action on his own responsibility with respect to requests made by us, such as those on behalf of foreign interests, which would indicate the least partiality, but is referring such matters more and more to Vichy and is executing instructions given him on the subject as objectively but with as much understanding as possible under the circumstances.
The greatest service we can render our many friends in the Protectorate and our own cause is to take into account these considerations and do nothing by any over-zealousness which would prejudice the position of our friends causing them to be replaced by others most probably less sympathetic and certainly not more accommodating.
The paradoxical situation has to be borne in mind that while general sentiment was never more favorable to us there was never greater need for our officers in Morocco to display the utmost prudence and understanding of the extreme delicacy of the situation of all officials.
Repeated to Casablanca.