851.01/1025: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:23 p.m.]
1268. There is evident optimism among those elements at Carlton Gardens who favor early agreement with General Giraud and this new optimism is shared by Admiral Stark. The reasons therefor seem to be threefold:
- 1.
- Thanks to the President’s address86 and the attitude and reports of Capitant in whom de Gaulle appears to have confidence the General seems to have come round for the time being at least to accept the view that “the Americans” have all along and still are trying to bring about an improvement in North Africa. Capitant has apparently given a full report of American policies and activities since the November landings and this report coming from one of his own trusted people has served to dissipate some, at least, of de Gaulle’s suspicions. In contrast to his previous criticisms of Murphy, de Gaulle seems for the moment to be prepared to accept Capitant’s assertions that Murphy’s influence and efforts from the moment of Darlan’s accession to power have been directed toward the changes and reforms that Carlton Gardens has so loudly demanded. Capitant has likewise successfully scotched the rumor propagated by Carlton Gardens that Murphy “was backing the Comte de Paris”.
- 2.
- De Gaulle has likewise, say the optimists, been persuaded that General Giraud is in full agreement with him on the need for a thorough reorganization of the French Army, and its moral as well as material re-equipment through the elimination of senior officer dead wood, the promotion of able juniors, et cetera. Catroux’s reports on this subject seem to have been constructive as have the assurances of Pannafieu.
- 3.
- The Prime Minister’s suggestion that failure to reach agreement with Giraud or at least show substantial progress along the road to conciliation would make it difficult for His Majesty’s Government to renew its credits to the National Committee for the coming fiscal year (my telegram No. 1127, February 12, midnight87) has likewise unquestionably had a salutary effect. While they do not naturally refer to the subject in conversation, the possibility that they might lose the financial support so vital to the continuance of the Fighting French movement has at least aroused sufficient doubts and qualms at Carlton Gardens to reduce their propaganda against Giraud and their stories about “the Americans” to a minimum. Massigli himself has confirmed my impression that the prospect of penury has chilled the hearts (and tongues) of many of those at Fighting French Headquarters.
Whatever the relative weight of these three factors (and I am not inclined to underestimate the third), the better elements among the Fighting French are for the moment hopeful that through a gradual step by step cooperation on military and economic practical problems eventual French unity may yet be achieved. These elements are in agreement that on the contrary to endeavor to force some sort of immediate merger of the National Committee and the North African War Committee would be poor tactics.
As the Department is presumably aware General Eisenhower has sent a cordial reply to General de Gaulle’s message (my telegram No. 1191, February 16, 4 p.m.88). De Gaulle has asked the Foreign Office to put a plane at his disposal between the 1st and 8th of March to enable him to proceed on a month’s inspection trip to Cairo, Beirut, Tobruk (to see Larminat), Tripoli (to see Leclerc89), Chad, Brazzaville, Madagascar and back to Cairo. It is either during his visit to Tripoli around the middle of March or following his return to Cairo that he would like to stop off in French North Africa to see General Eisenhower. De Gaulle will be accompanied by Colonel Billotte and has likewise asked if Colonel Archdale (British) may accompany him. The Foreign Office is awaiting General Eisenhower’s reaction before giving General de Gaulle the plane. (Admiral Stark has cabled General Eisenhower.)