851R.01/741: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 2—1:54 p.m.]
1022. From Murphy. Late last night Peyrouton40 addressed letters of resignation both to Giraud and de Gaulle as joint Presidents of the Committee, and requested to be reinstated as a reserve captain of infantry. Giraud replied accepting the resignation, but requesting Peyrouton to remain provisionally in office. I am further informed, however, that de Gaulle replied accepting the resignation and appointing Peyrouton as captain attached to the Army of the Levant, thus bringing him under orders of de Gaulle’s forces. Giraud has retaliated by attaching Muselier to his staff and making the latter responsible for the maintenance of order in Algiers. In informing us of his appointment, Muselier said that he had received instructions to permit no manifestations of any sort.
G–2 of AFHQ41 has just informed me that they learned private[ly] but definitely that negotiations between the two Generals have broken down. In consequence, they have been requested to make necessary arrangements to prevent the entry into this country of all Frenchmen. [Murphy.]