851.01/368
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Atherton)
Mr. Tixier called on Mr. Welles by appointment today, and the latter said he was very glad to welcome him for the first time. Mr. Tixier said that he came in to see Mr. Welles because he was leaving Washington within a short time and he desired to talk with the Under Secretary and specifically raise the question as to his attitude and the future attitude of this Government towards the Free French Movement. He went on to say that he had never met General de Gaulle himself but if he was able to establish a satisfactory relationship with the Free French Movement once he arrived in London, naturally the first question they would ask of him would be the attitude of this Government not only towards himself but towards the Free French Movement in general. Mr. Welles said that he would like to answer the question but before undertaking to do so he would be very appreciative if Mr. Tixier would be a little more precise as to what his question entailed. Mr. Tixier said the Free French Movement had been begun as a military movement by a French General who was not willing to accept the surrender of France and therefore sought to continue a military effort against Germany. This latter developed into a movement of gathering political importance with headquarters in London. General de Gaulle had not only established military but also political contacts with the British and later this had developed into the formation of the French National Committee in London which was now a recognized movement by the British Government. He said it was from that point of view he was making his inquiry of Mr. Welles. The Under Secretary replied that he appreciated Mr. Tixier’s statement but of course the latter must realize the position of the British Government and that of ours was quite dissimilar and even the [Page 508] backgrounds were not the same. However, he was disposed to examine Mr. Tixier’s question and, in the meantime, if Mr. Tixier wished to add any further details it would enable Mr. Welles to have a more complete background for reflection on the matter until Mr. Tixier returned from London. Mr. Tixier said that he did not know exactly when he was leaving for London; it was always a question of priorities. Mr. Welles requested that Mr. Atherton get in touch with Mr. Burke33 and do everything to facilitate the early departure Mr. Tixier desired. Mr. Tixier thanked Mr. Welles and stated that in his relations since he came here, in the first instance with the European Division, he had received most cooperative treatment, and his contacts with Mr. Atherton and Mr. Reber had been marked by the utmost cordiality and friendliness. This was, however, not the entire recognition that he sought and the question he raised with Mr. Welles was whether the Free French Movement would be recognized by the American Government. Mr. Tixier went on to say he did not pretend as the representative of that movement here to exclude the efforts of all other Frenchmen the world over who were working for the interests of the French people and the restoration of France, but it would give great encouragement to the Free French Movement if the American Government would deal with him as the official representative of a group of Frenchmen headed by General de Gaulle who had definitely established aims. Mr. Tixier added that he hoped that upon his return he might be able to report that the Free French Movement was going to base its policies and its activities upon the basis of individual liberty and democracy for the France of the future. Mr. Welles replied that in that event he felt confident that he would be able to give him a satisfactory and encouraging reaction on the part of this Government.
Mr. Tixier then touched in a very vague manner on the St. Pierre-Miquelon situation.34 He stressed the fact that he had given no public statements in this matter and was being much criticized for not having dramatized the situation more from his angle. He expressed appreciation to Mr. Welles for having received him.