740.0011 Pacific War/2411: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—1:45 a.m.]
665. Embassy’s 661, May 5, noon. Monsieur Laval sent for me this afternoon at 6 o’clock and handed me a note in the third person dated May 5 a translation of which follows:
“In reply to the note delivered today by the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America, the French Government formulates the most energetic protest against the aggression to which Madagascar has been subjected by British forces.
It takes note of the assurance that Madagascar will one day be returned to France.
It rejects as inadmissible the pretension of the Government of the United States to forbid France to defend herself when her territory is attacked: The French Government is the only judge of the obligations which its honor imposes upon it. This, moreover, has been rightly understood by the defenders of Madagascar: They have not hesitated, despite their numerical inferiority, to fulfill their duty in accordance with the most noble traditions of French arms.
England has so often since the Armistice shown its hostility towards France that the aggression which it has just committed against Madagascar comes as no surprise to the French Government.
The French Government on the other hand regrets to note that the Government of the United States today approves and supports the British Government and it can but leave to President Roosevelt the share of responsibility which will devolve upon him in war which may result from this aggression.”
M. Laval said that before delivering the note to me he had wished to acquaint the Marshal of its contents. He again mentioned his feelings towards the United States which he had expressed at the time of his recent call on Ambassador Leahy and repeated that he desired to commit no unfriendly act against us. This sentiment he thought represented the true feeling of the people of both countries.