851R.01/748: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3—12:45 a.m.]
1028. From Murphy. My 1022, June 2, 4 p.m. At Giraud’s request, Macmillan and I called on him this morning. He was very disturbed at the trend of events and said that de Gaulle was being exceedingly difficult. He told us that he had been astounded by de Gaulle’s action with regard to Peyrouton, which had been taken without consultation with him, in fact it had been taken even before Giraud received Peyrouton’s letter. Under the circumstances, he had felt it necessary to write de Gaulle a letter protesting against the action. He also asked in this letter that de Gaulle make a public declaration denying that he was endeavoring to establish a totalitarian political system in France under his personal leadership.
Although Macmillan and I did not feel that the tone of the letter was helpful in the present situation, we urged Giraud immediately [Page 132] to summon the Committee and to insist that any action taken now can only be taken as a matter of collective responsibility.
It is apparent that Giraud fears that de Gaulle may be planning some form of Putsch but insists that he is prepared to make a last attempt to bring about an agreement provided the principles of collective responsibility are preserved.
It seems clear to us that Peyrouton’s action which in the circumstances was not only ill-advised but taken for selfish reasons in an effort to make his peace with de Gaulle, gave de Gaulle a pretext for placing Peyrouton under his orders, although this represents a complete departure from his previous stand, and is being interpreted by Giraud’s supporters as giving further evidence of de Gaulle’s intention to assume control of all important officials and posts.
De Gaulle agreed to meet with Giraud late this afternoon and a meeting of the full Committee is scheduled to take place tomorrow at 10. He does not plan to answer Giraud’s letter.
Massigli is in a very depressed state of mind and explained both he and Catroux had protested de Gaulle’s instructions to Peyrouton. Neither of them were consulted by de Gaulle in advance of this step.
Catroux informs me that this morning at a meeting with de Gaulle and his staff, he accused de Gaulle of bad faith and irregular methods. De Gaulle replied that Catroux was disloyal to the National Committee, Catroux protested de Gaulle’s assertion and in turn accused him of totalitarian methods, thereupon walking out of the meeting.
Massigli is urging that the Committee enter into being, as soon as possible, but explains that the appointment of General Georges has been one of the stumbling blocks as de Gaulle is suspicious of the appointment, feeling that Georges represents the defeated French Army, and does not have sufficient popular standing in France. Massigli, however, admits that he may prove a useful counselor. [Murphy.]