740.00112 European War 1939/5998a: Telegram

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

212. For Murphy. The French Embassy has advised the Department that the Germans are attempting to make it a condition for the release of the two accord vessels at Casablanca that the Ile d’Ouessant and the Ile de Noirmoutier must take on fuel oil at an [Page 335] Atlantic coast port for the voyage to Casablanca rather than at Aruba. The Department has rejected this condition.

Any efforts made by the Germans to propagandize the failure of the ships to depart as being due to difficulties raised by this Government should be rebutted by you with all means at your disposal. Independently of any such efforts, it is hoped that you will be able to make the true facts known.

Hull