740.00113 European War 1939/1076: Telegram

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

93. Personal for Hoffman from Morgenthau. In a telegram from Stettinius and Morgenthau to Murphy and you of November 2, No. 2048, we presented the position of this Government with respect to the fines and levies imposed on the Jewish Community in Tunisia and war damage in general. We requested that this position be presented to the appropriate French authorities unless Murphy or you perceived some objection. We further stated that it should be made clear to the French authorities at this time that it is clearly recognized by us that the decisions are for the French to make and that our views should be merely presented to them for their consideration.

In a cable from Wiley of November 20, No. 2035,89 it was indicated that the prompt presentation of this Government’s position on this matter to the French authorities for their consideration and decision was deemed inadvisable in view of local political considerations.

Despite the strong interest which the Treasury has shown in this matter as evidenced in our cables, I have not received any information from you concerning developments since the dispatch of cable 2048. In your BOC 1718 of November 2189 you refer to our 2048, but merely indicate that the French have been asked to set aside for the present final decision with respect to Jewish Community fines and levies, and request our views as to whether the French should be asked to alter their policy on the general question of war damages in view of our cable. Snider,90 who left Algiers on November 26, had no information on this matter.

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You are hereby requested to furnish to me directly a full detailed report concerning all developments in this matter since the dispatch of our 2048. You should cover the following points:

(1)
Did you discuss cable 2048 with Murphy or Wiley and make clear our concern regarding this matter.
(2)
Explain fully if known to you the reasons that it was decided that local conditions would not even permit the presentation of this Government’s view to the French authorities and whether you were in agreement with such decision and reasons. In this connection it was our understanding that the French authorities had requested and were awaiting our recommendation and advice on this question and we had stressed the urgency of the matter in our cable.
(3)
Why no response to cable 2048 of November 2 was made before November 20.

A prompt reply is requested. [Morgenthau.]

Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.
  3. D. A. Snider, Representative of the Treasury Department.