740.0011 European War 1939/25308: Telegram

The Chargé at Tangier (Childs) to the Secretary of State

566. Following are texts of messages exchanged between Laval54 and Noguès55 according to press.

Laval to Noguès:

“I send you herewith a telegram that the Marshal has just sent President Roosevelt. Your duty is clear and the Government counts on you. You should repress energetically all dissident tendencies which have appeared or may appear.”

Noguès is quoted as having replied:

“I reply to your telegram.

Thanks to the loyalism of most of the troops the dissidents have been reduced without bloodshed after several difficult hours.

I ask you to tell the Marshal that he may count on us. The struggle may be expected to be severe but all French as well as Moroccans will make without distinction the necessary sacrifices for the future unity of the Government.”

Espana announces Sultan of Morocco56 has addressed a proclamation to the Moroccan public inviting them to cooperate with the French authorities in the operations to repel the American aggression against certain of the Imperial ports.

Childs
  1. Pierre Laval, French Chief of Government.
  2. Albert Noguès, Resident General in the French Zone of Morocco.
  3. Mohammed Ben Youssef.