862.24/573: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—2:56 a.m.]
214. [For first portion of this telegram dealing with transportation in French ships of materials to Axis forces in North Africa, see page 128.]
I also took up with the Marshal the question of the use by Japan of French ships in Indochina (your 76, February 5, 8 p.m.) which was communicated by note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on February 7. In view of a possibility that the Marshal may not have seen this note, my purpose in discussing this matter orally was to insure his getting a formal statement of my Government that any agreement which will make French vessels in Indochina available for use against the United States will be considered an unfriendly act. Admiral Darlan replied that negotiations with Japan have not been completed and in reply to a specific question as to whether I may inform my Government that France will not agree to the use of its vessels against the United States, he replied that France will not agree to the use of its ships for any military [Page 677] purpose. He added that of course Japan may seize the ships without the consent of France.
Repeated to Murphy57 at Casablanca.
- Robert D. Murphy, Counselor of Embassy in France on special mission to French North Africa.↩