851R.01/27½
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Villard)
Mr. Baudet referred to the attitude of the Department with respect to the approach to be made by Mr. George Wadsworth to the French authorities upon his arrival in Syria, and said that a telegram had been sent to General de Gaulle on the subject by the Fighting French Delegation in Washington. The Department’s position in this matter was understood to be that Mr. Wadsworth should pay an unofficial call on General Catroux in Beirut, whereas his call on the Lebanese and Syrian authorities would be of an official and formal character.
A reply had now been received from General de Gaulle to the effect that “he saw no reason” why Mr. Wadsworth should not make an official call on General Catroux. This statement was interpreted by Mr. Baudet to mean that General de Gaulle was strongly opposed to the proposed unofficial call of Mr. Wadsworth and that he would like to have the Department alter its instructions to Mr. Wadsworth accordingly. Mr. Baudet said that there was some urgency about [Page 666] the matter as he understood Mr. Wadsworth was to leave in the immediate future for Beirut, and a decision would have to be made before his arrival.
I told Mr. Baudet that I would look into the matter. Mr. Baudet said he would like to have a reply from the Department on this subject as soon as possible in order that it might be transmitted to General de Gaulle.