740.0011 European War 1939/21044
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State
The French Ambassador76 called to see me at his request.
The Ambassador said that he had just received a further cable from his Government concerning the demand of the United States that the French Government agree that no Axis vessels or aircraft be permitted to enter the jurisdiction of French authorities in the Western Hemisphere. The Ambassador gave me to understand that this last message he had received ordered him to call upon me to find out if I were serious with regard to the demands made upon the French Government. I made it clear to the Ambassador that the point of view of this Government was that the assurances requested constituted an absolutely imperative necessity for the United States.
The Ambassador then stated that he was preparing a telegram to his Government on this matter insisting that the wishes of the United States be met and pointing out that the agreements entered into culminating in the Horne–Robert agreement should not be modified [Page 621] or superseded by any changes or developments in the war situation. The Ambassador insisted that his Government agree to meet the demands of the United States and yet, at the same time, maintain intact the right already granted the United States of observation and of patrol.
- Gaston Henry-Haye.↩