851A.01/28: Telegram
The Minister in Canada (Moffat) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:54 p.m.]
1. Reference various telephone conversations regarding status of St. Pierre-Miquelon. The problems raised by Admiral Muselier’s16 occupancy of the islands of St. Pierre-Miquelon are under continued discussion in the Canadian press. Although public sympathy has from the beginning been with the Admiral there was a willingness to recognize that his move might have such far flung repercussions on [Page 655] North Africa, the French Fleet, hemispheric policies, etc., that some form of accommodation, which safeguarded wireless communications, might be a wise move. Since Mr. Churchill’s speech before Parliament17 in which he excoriated Vichy’s plans and purposes, public opinion has swung as a virtual unit against any form of attempted compromise. Led by prominent members of Parliament and echoes by the press, Mr. King18 is being petitioned to take no part in any policy that would savor of a rebuff to General de Gaulle.19 The unfortunate impression is gaining ground that there is a rift in policy between London and Washington in the matter of dealing with France and public opinion in its present mood is behind what it thinks is London’s position.
- Adm. Emile Muselier, Free French Minister of the Navy.↩
- Speech of British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill before the Canadian Parliament, December 30, 1941.↩
- W. L. Mackenzie King, Canadian Prime Minister.↩
- Gen. Charles de Gaulle, President of the National Committee of the Free French at London.↩