Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume II

740.0011 European War 1939/26579: Telegram

The Consul at Aden (Timberlake) to the Secretary of State

Aden , December 17, 1942—10 a.m.
[Received December 18—1:05 a.m.]

52. Reference my 51, December 16, paragraph 1. At 1 a.m. today I received following telegram from General Fowkes at Harar. (Platt is in Nairobi and I had my telegram requesting withhold action repeated to both Fowkes and Platt.)

[“]General Dupont has invited me to visit him tomorrow and I await instructions whether I am to go. I do not think formal negotiations should be delayed any longer, but I hope you will soon be authorized to reassure Jibuti authorities either verbally or in writing that Great Britain and United States are in accord or alternatively, that Jibuti authorities are no longer bound by ‘the gentleman’s agreement’ under which they claim you were permitted to carry out investigations as prelude to negotiations. Without such assurance or release by you no progress possible. Repeated by Hopkinson to Foreign Office.”

At 3 a.m. received following copy of telegram to Fowkes from Platt:

• “1. I have discussed your 15313 and Aden 88 with M. Bayardelle. He and I are in agreement on following instructions.
• 2. You will proceed on 17 December to see General Dupont. You will at the outset tell Dupont that it is impossible for you to discuss any future arrangements without presence of Fighting French.
• 3. The colony has got to come over to the side of the United Nations and the only way of that being implemented is through the Fighting French.
• 4. Within above terms use all persuasion you can to arrange meeting between Dupont and Chancel.
• 5. You are on no account to discuss any arrangements excluding Fighting French.
• 6. I greatly regret not being able to accept American Consul’s request to withhold action. General Fowkes having received Dupont’s invitation any delay in taking preliminary advantage thereof would be prejudicial to future.”

Under paragraph I of above 15315 is telegram from Fowkes to Platt asking instructions, Aden 88 is my request, Bayardelle is believed to be Chancel’s representative in Nairobi.

I have taken further action on receipt above. Unable determine whether Platt acting under stand[ing] instructions or special instruction following my request to him. My telegram to him repeated to London direct from Aden and Platt had 12 hours to receive fresh instructions between time origin my telegram and time origin second telegram quoted above.

Timberlake