The British Prime Minister (Churchill) to President Roosevelt 26
513. 1. I am shocked at the arrests reported this morning of Boisson, Peyrouton and Flandin. There are even rumours here that the [Page 194] first two at any rate will be shot. I consider I have a certain obligation as, in supporting your policy and that of General Eisenhower, I did undoubtedly in Algiers in February27 encourage these men to hold firm in their posts and aid us in our struggle for Tunis, saying also in that case, “Count on me”. It seems to me the American obligation is even stronger because we were admittedly following (query) your general lines.
2. I trust, therefore, you will take what steps you can to impress upon the French Committee the unwisdom of their present proceedings. You, no doubt, will also be considering the question of offering asylum. Pray let me know if there is any way in which we could help.
- Copy of telegram obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N.Y. This telegram and Churchill’s telegram No. 517, dated December 23, 1943 (post, p. 196), were based on press reports. It subsequently became clear that the French Committee was not taking the extreme steps that the Prime Minister feared.↩
- Regarding Prime Minister Churchill’s arrival in Algiers, see telegram No. 153, February 6, 6 p.m., from the Consul General at Algiers, p. 48.↩