Office of the Historian

740.00115 Pacific War/179: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Nouméa (MacVitty)

Washington, February 19, 1942—6 p.m.

29. Your 22, February 17, 5 p.m. You may inform the High Commissioner that in all matters relating to the defense of New Caledonia this Government is prepared to recognize that the French National Committee has authority over the Island and deals with the representatives of General de Gaulle in all matters relating to its defense.

You may also inform the High Commissioner that this Government has warned the Government of Vichy against taking any action in these colonies which might give the appearance of acting under Japanese duress.71

Hull
  1. See memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs, January 23, p. 687.↩