740.0011 European War 1939/22804: Telegram

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

449. For Atherton from Murphy. If you approve please communicate following to Colonel Solborg, Assistant Military Attaché Lisbon who is now en route to Washington.

“Your June 26, 7 p.m. Our friend back from Paris and Vichy informed of your plans. Following is a résumé of his impressions:

Saw Laval June 30 and he confirms previous impression. In our friend’s opinion the current policy of obedience and concessions is only limited by the desire of certain Germans to avoid a rupture between France and the United States. There is a belief in a German victory. Laval insists on it possibly to persuade himself that it is true. Laval’s fear of replacement by Doriot86 incites him [Page 334] to concessions and facilitates the Marshal’s87 agreement to those concessions.

2. It seems that in an effort to rally public opinion which since the last speech has been especially reticent there was some thought in Vichy of a rapprochement with Weygand. Our friend believes that Weygand’s sense of discipline would be exploited by Vichy if the General, inspired by apprehension that another chief would be willing to assume the responsibilities which he declined, would now agree to serve the Marshal’s Government.

3. Our friend saw again the principal who is the subject of previous conversations. He believes that the principal hopes to become the pivot of resistance in Europe and Africa and is stated to be in contact through an intermediary with American representatives in Vichy to whom he has presented requests for matériel for finance about which our friend has been informed. Group do not know whether circumstances will permit the realization of a combined operation in Africa, France and certain other occupied territories. Our friend believes it certain that political, military events may make necessary at any moment an African operation. That is why the interested principal is stated to desire arrangements to insure his arrival here and has requested état-major which he has established in North Africa to do the necessary in order that this area may be as well prepared as possible.

It is necessary also to anticipate that the Government might take measures against the principal or against his assistants. Under those circumstances also immediate action would be necessary.

4. Our friend underscores that if Allied resistance should collapse in the Eastern Mediterranean all plans would be subject to modification. It is also understood that if for political, military reasons the American position is changed that the group would be notified. The group hopes for frankness in this regard.

5. Group will also be pleased if you would confirm the execution of the procès-verbal with which you were in accord. Group hopes also for early reply to economic and financial questionnaires which I have forwarded by pouch to Atherton.

6. Our friend plans to spend month of August in France and will remain in contact with me.[”]

Repeated to Vichy. [Murphy.]

Cole
  1. Jacques Doriot, French politician, leader of the Parti Populaire Français.
  2. Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, French Chief of State.