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

862.33/238: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Leahy)

Washington, March 2, 1942—9 p.m.

140. Your 314, February 27, 9 p.m. The note received from Admiral Darlan fails completely to take into consideration the position of this country in the Western Hemisphere and its request not that war vessels or military planes of any belligerent power should be prohibited entry from French ports or territory in the Western Hemisphere but that Axis war vessels and planes should be denied admission. Furthermore, Admiral Darlan’s proposal constitutes a revision of the Greenslade–Robert agreement⁶⁹ as amended by the Horne–Robert memorandum⁷⁰ establishing the daily patrol service in the French Antilles. Should the French Government desire to amend these agreements in such fashion it will be necessary for the United States Government to review all phases of its agreements relating to the French Antilles and to make such changes therein which are required by the new position adopted by the French Government. This Government is unable to enter into any agreement which would restrict in any way its right to patrol the Atlantic and Caribbean areas and take such measures for the defense of these areas against Axis attacks which in its judgment are considered desirable or necessary. This includes such matters as airplane patrol of ports, harbors and sea coasts.

The French Government has stated that it desires to maintain a status of neutrality as regards its possessions in the Western Hemisphere. This Government is not prepared to agree that any such status will prevent it from exercising its particular responsibility as regards these territories.

This Government must continue to insist upon receiving the assurances previously requested that Axis planes and vessels shall not be permitted to enter French ports in this area.

Welles

69. For correspondence regarding the Greenslade-Robert agreements of August 5 and 6, 1940, see Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. ii, pp. 513–516.
70. Memorandum dated December 17, 1941, confirming the Greenslade-Robert agreements, not printed. Admiral Home of the United States Navy, arrived at Fort-de-France on December 17, 1941, where he had been sent for the purpose of conferring with Admiral Robert on the Caribbean situation, changed by the entrance of the United States into the war.