740.0011 European War 1939/26629b
The Department of State to the British Embassy 57
Aide-Mémoire
The Department of State has been informed by the American Consul at Aden, Mr. Timberlake, of the results of a conference in which he participated at that place with British military and civil representatives concerning the situation at Djibouti, French Somaliland. It appears that following the conference General Platt, the British military commander at Harar, stated to Mr. Timberlake that he would recommend that certain proposals should be submitted to the French authorities at Djibouti looking to an arrangement with the French National Committee and the British Government designed to assure the continuance of French sovereignty over French Somaliland and to bring about the defeat of the Axis. Mr. Timberlake recently completed a visit to French Somaliland for the purpose of investigating the situation in that area and his report forms the basis of the conclusions reached below.
It is obvious that in the existing circumstances French Somaliland occupies an isolated position in relation to the war and constitutes no menace to the United Nations. The authorities at Djibouti have indicated that they would resist by force of arms any attempt to turn that territory over to the French National Committee, an act which would inevitably result in a useless sacrifice of French lives. Moreover, the authorities have asserted that intervention by representatives of Admiral Darlan would also be unwelcome, but have indicated their willingness to enter into an agreement with the American and British Governments.
At a time when the position of the United Nations in North and West Africa has not yet been consolidated and still requires a delicate adjustment, it would be most unfortunate in the view of the United States Government if French blood should be shed in an area which may be considered a potential ally in the common cause. The repercussions which would take place, particularly in French West Africa, in the event of a clash in French Somaliland at this [Page 607] time, would unquestionably be serious. It should therefore be the purpose of the British and American Governments to avoid by every means in their power the threat of civil strife in French Somaliland.
In the light of the above, it is suggested that Mr. Timberlake, together with appropriate representatives of the British Government, should be authorized to proceed to Djibouti with the view to discussing with the French authorities the possibility of effecting a peaceful arrangement under which French Somaliland would freely join the United Nations. These British and American representatives would submit to their respective Governments their joint recommendations as to the best means of bringing about this aim, on the basis of which they would receive further instructions.
The Department of State would appreciate being informed as soon as possible whether the British Government concurs in the above suggestion.
- Repeated to the Consul at Aden in telegrams Nos. 46 and 47, December 21, noon, and to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom in telegram No. 6384, December 16, with the additional instruction to take up urgently with the Foreign Office the subject discussed in the aide-mémoire.↩