851.01/2258: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:45 p.m.]
1081. For the Secretary and Under Secretary from Murphy. Last evening I had separate conversations with Giraud and Monnet. Giraud was firm in his attitude that he would not be influenced by de Gaulle’s tender of resignation as co-President and member of [Page 148] the French Committee. He said the whole matter hinged on de Gaulle’s determination to dominate the French military establishment. De Gaulle’s motive according to Giraud, is apparent because during the course of the early meetings he scoffed at Giraud’s title as Commander-in-Chief, stating that this was an empty title which really represented no substantial authority because the French Army in the last analysis was under Allied High Command and broken up in different units. He added that General Giraud was also not in the confidence of the Allied High Command, which did not communicate to him plans for future operations. In subsequent meetings, however, de Gaulle reversed his position, stating that he would be very glad to see General Giraud remain as Commander-in-Chief of French Forces, but demanding that he be named Commissioner for National Defense with full powers to reorganize and control the French military establishment.
Giraud said that de Gaulle’s purpose thus became most obvious and that he could not submit to a situation in which he would retain the shadow and de Gaulle the substance of military power.
Later in the evening, I saw Monnet who denied that the Committee had any intention of permitting de Gaulle to dominate the French military situation, but he attacked Giraud’s failure to eliminate superannuated generals and improve French military organization. He said that Giraud alone was not capable of undertaking the task of reorganizing French Forces in the light of all his other duties and that a formula must be found under which de Gaulle would share in this function. He also prophesied that if de Gaulle quits now, the situation will further deteriorate and that Giraud will not be able to hold power for more than 2 or 3 months, after which French public opinion will demand de Gaulle.
Monnet feels that if de Gaulle’s abilities can be harnessed and used within the framework of the Committee during the coming weeks, if he then quits later his departure may cause little emotion. To permit him to quit now, in his opinion, would be premature and might risk unpleasant reactions on the part both of British and American public opinion.
Monnet admits at the same time that de Gaulle must not be permitted by force of threats and a system of blackmail to have his way with the Committee. [Murphy.]