Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, General, Volume I

800.515/912: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Wilson)

Washington, December 11, 1943—11 p.m.

124. Your 115, December 9, 11 a.m. The British on November 22 proposed a change in the formula of October 6³⁴ which had been agreed to between the United States and British Governments for French participation in Civil Affairs in metropolitan France, and as the new formula proposed more direct dealing with the French Committee of National Liberation the matter was referred to the President. The President stated that all consideration of Civil Affairs for France should be held in abeyance until his return³⁵ and further consideration.

In dealing with currency for military operation, War Department, with concurrence of State Department, has taken the position that as there is no governmental authority in existence for issuance of French currency, an Allied military currency is the only form which could be legally used. That is the way the matter now stands. It is hoped that the form of currency to be used will be one which will not be objectionable to the French people.

We hope to be in a position soon to give you definite information in the premises. In the meantime, it is impossible for any of us to discuss these matters further.

Hull

34. See letter of October 7 from Mr. H. D. White, p. 1044.
35. President Roosevelt returned on December 11 from meetings with Marshal Stalin, Prime Minister Churchill, President Inönü of Turkey, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. For documentation on these conferences, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943.