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  4. Document 661

851A.01/93

The Secretary of State to the Consul at St. Pierre-Miquelon (Pasquet)

Washington, March 26, 1942.

Sir: Reference is made to your despatch No. 96 of February 20, 1942,44 requesting advice regarding the attitude to be taken as regards the Free French forces in occupation at St. Pierre-Miquelon.

Whereas the status of St. Pierre-Miquelon in so far as the relations of its administration with this Government have not yet been finally determined, it would nevertheless seem desirable that your relations with them take into account the “de facto” situation. There is no reason why your personal relations with the Free French officials should not be maintained upon the most cordial basis and the method which you have adopted in taking personal acknowledgment of the signatures of officials is approved.45

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
A. A. Berle, Jr.
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. The Department announced on July 9, 1942, that the United States Government would “continue to deal with the local Free French officials in their respective territories where they are in effective control”. See Department of State Bulletin, July 11, 1942, p. 614.↩