740.00112 European War 1939/7306: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:58 p.m.]
31. From Murphy. Reply to your 417, November 18, 4 p.m. has been delayed due to my absence in Gibraltar.
We fully approve plans to forward at the earliest practicable date 8000 tons of cargos elected by the competent French officials as high priority material for North Africa to be supplemented by such quantities of sugar, milk, green tea, soap, medical supplies, cotton textiles, second-hand clothing, kerosene, and other articles. It is suggested that priority be given cotton textiles and secondhand clothing.
Control facilities will be adequate for the supervision of the distribution of prospective supplies.
With reference to the Department’s plan to establish civilian requirement staff in North Africa, we of course have small nucleus consisting of the present control officers who are now functioning as part of the Civil Affairs Administration of the Army. I learned at Gibraltar of a plan to establish under the auspices of the Allied forces an organization to be known as the North African Economic Board which would recruit its personnel from civilian sources in the United States and possibly the United Kingdom as well as from the military. Department no doubt is discussing this matter with the Combined Chiefs of Staff.
The personnel at present available includes the above-mentioned control officers, H. Freeman Matthews who states he will be required to return to London early in December and the following military personnel: Colonel Rooth, Colonel John Keveney, Lieutenant Colonel Bernstein, Colonel White, Majors Dostert and Spoford, Captain Lutwack and Taylor of Treasury. It will be augmented by a number of Allied Staff officers expected here this week including Major General Humphrey Gale who would be competent for phases relating to the United Kingdom. It is planned that Civil Affairs Section will operate in close liaison with the North African Economic Board when established. [Murphy.]