851A.01/37: Telegram
The Consul in Martinique (Malige) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:40 p.m.]
3. Department’s 1, January 3, 4 p.m.25 I have just received the following from Admiral Robert.
“The French Government, after considering Mr. Hull’s proposals, authorizes me to reply through you.
“Referring to President Roosevelt’s communication of December 14 [13?] to Marshal Pétain26 regarding French possessions in this hemisphere, confirmed by yours to me of December 23, I regard the American Government as obligated to obtain the reestablishment of French sovereignty over St. Pierre Miquelon.
“The French Government, which has never deviated from its policy of strict neutrality and desires like myself to facilitate the American Government’s task under the circumstances, is prepared in this case to give further proof thereof satisfactory to all interested parties.
“It requests in exchange that the Canadian Government on this occasion give assurances to respect French sovereignty over these territories similar to those received from the American Government.
“It accepts the principle of the presence at Saint Pierre of American and Canadian observers, three at most, attached to their respective Consulates, charged with watching over the strict neutrality of the territory, without interfering with the administration proper except as concerns the radio station for which the French Government consents to a control permitting verification that there is no transmission en clair susceptible of being used by the belligerents and that there is no transmission in code other than official telegrams sent under the administrator’s responsibility. It is understood that no meteorological bulletins will be sent.
“The Administrator of the islands, M. de Bournat retains the French Government’s confidence and mine. I desire that he be reinstated in authority, it being understood that no reprisal will be exercised. It is indispensable that he come to Martinique as much to receive my instructions conforming to the new agreement as to report on the situation to me. I request that his journey be facilitated and that he may immediately enter into telegraphic communication with me for choosing a substitute to administer the territories during his absence.
“Finally I request that his return from Fort-de-France to St. Pierre Miquelon by the Barfleur be recognized in order to confirm the restoration of French sovereignty in these islands. The Barfleur would return to Fort-de-France immediately after this peaceful mission.”
My letter of December 23 to the Admiral contained substance of Department’s undated telegram drafted December 2228 following Admiral Home’s29 return.
At the Admiral’s request I shall call on him this afternoon, cabling the Department immediately afterwards.30
- Not printed.↩
-
The President in his message of December 13 to Marshal Pétain, French Chief of State, stated:
“You may rest assured that the Government of the United States under present circumstances and in view of the instructions which you have issued to Admiral Robert will continue to give full recognition to the agreement reached by our two governments involving the maintenance of the status quo of the French possessions in the Western Hemisphere.” (851A.01/87a)
↩ - Undated telegram not found in Department files.↩
- Rear Adm. F. J. Home of the U. S. Navy.↩
- Telegram No. 4, January 6, 1942, not printed.↩