740.0011 Pacific War/2136: Telegram
The Consul General at Tananarive (Carter) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 16—9:56 a.m.]
8. Department’s 7, 12th,79 received today. Late yesterday afternoon I had conversation with Governor General with view to telegraphing Department any pertinent information in consideration of recent radio and press statements concerning Madagascar and Department’s inquiries near France and assurances offered by latter.
Governor General confirmed statements accredited to him in cabled press notices from Vichy and in local press the latter reading substantially:
“Returning from a trip in the south where I noticed how much everyone at his post was endeavoring in working calmly to remedy difficulties caused by refraction of economic connections I have just learned of foreign press articles touching the eventual situation of Madagascar in the development of the world conflict.
I declare once more and affirm that there be well understood that Madagascar has but one will, to remain French.
For this she does not need the aid even temporarily of any other nation.
Animated by this will and conscious of its defensive force she will be able to face the case being any menace of aggression from whatever source it may come.”
The Governor General confirmed to me the Vichy press statement accredited to him that in Madagascar there were only an old Japanese woman and a Japanese laborer residing in the island and in a [Page 697] further conversation this afternoon he declared to me that there was no mission in Madagascar or contemplated or envisaged from Japan or elsewhere and he knew of no plan or anything in view of inviting aid from anyone. The Governor General gave me to understand that if any mission would be contemplated in the future, which he did not envisage, I would be able to know. He reiterated the intention of the island to defend itself against any intervention and a similar statement was made to me several days ago by the Commandant of the Marine at Diego-Suarez when in Tananarive. I shall endeavor to keep Department informed.
- Not printed.↩