851.01/567: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Tuck) to the Secretary of State

1014. The newspapers in both occupied and unoccupied France have quite naturally not been permitted to publish a single word on the subject of our announcement67 that we will lend all possible military assistance and support to the French National Committee and to that end have designated military and naval representatives to consult with the National Committee in London. In so far as we know there has thus far been little public comment and it is too early to know whether this announcement will cause any great reaction on the part of the French public.

In official circles in Vichy the announcement did not apparently occasion any marked excitement or agitation. The general opinion in such circles seems to be that this latest step on our part is but the logical consequence of our policy announced some months ago of recognizing Free French representatives in French territories over which they exercise effective control and of extending lend lease aid to the Free French forces. Therefore officials point out that there is nothing really new in our latest step as it does not represent and [any?] departure from our announced policy. There seems to be little doubt that the distinction which we make between military and political recognition has not passed unnoticed and is largely responsible for the equanimity with which the announcement is greeted. In my conversation with Laval68 this morning (Embassy’s telegram no. 1010 July 11, 1 p.m.)69 he mentioned the matter to me but did not appear to attach much importance to this step.

Repeated to London.

Tuck
  1. Press release of July 9; see Department of State Bulletin, July 11. 1942, p. 613.
  2. Pierre Laval, French Chief of Government.
  3. Not printed.