740.00112 European War 1939/7274: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—9:45 a.m.]
147. From Murphy. Study and execution of a program of economic supply for French North Africa is a matter of urgent necessity. This in reference to your No. 72 of November 15, 6 p.m. [No. 408, November 13, 4 p.m.] The mere arrival here of our Armed Forces will by itself reduce the supply of consumers’ goods. A grave and immediate problem is presented by the fact that North Africa is separated from France, its principal source of supply. It is extremely necessary that the Civil Departments of the United States and the United Kingdom take immediate action if the Commander-in-Chief will concern himself with economic policies only to the extent that they affect his operations in accordance with the decision of the Combined Chiefs of Staff. We have skeleton organization to deal with these matters. A senior Foreign Service Officer who is experienced in financial matters would be of great use. Taylor and Bernstein of the Treasury and Matters [Matthews?]73 of the State Department are at present temporarily handling financial questions. It would be wise to assign a representative of Lend-Lease and no more than two persons from the Board of Economic Warfare [Page 444] at once. More important than personnel, however, is the need of information from the Department concerning our program of economic supply. Just what material, if any, is now en route and when will it arrive? The needs of the area are well known to the Department, and it is aware that items such as gasoline, medical supplies, coal, cotton goods, foodstuffs, newsprint and wearing apparel of all kinds are the requirements needed most urgently. The Department also knows the urgent need of another long list of products as it understands that industry in this area is of small proportions depending as it does on France as its principal source of supplies. Would very much like to have as soon as possible, your comments on the foregoing. [Murphy.]
- H. Freeman Matthews, Counselor of Embassy in the United Kingdom; temporarily on detail in North Africa.↩