Office of the Historian

851R.01/255: Telegram

The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State

Algiers, March 3, 1943—2 p.m.
[Received March 4—1:39 a.m.]

318. From Murphy. It is understood that the representatives of the French National Committee who arrived last week in Algiers, [Page 67] Charbonniere and Colonel Pechkoff, have received a proposal from the French Nationalist Committee to serve as a basis for fusion between the High Command in Algiers and the Fighting French.96 In substances these are:

1.
Repudiation of the armistice.
2.
Repudiation of the connection with Vichy and repeal in so far as the state of war permits of law instituted by Vichy.
3.
No attempt to be made to establish a French Government at this time but a review of all acts now carried out by French authorities by the constituent assembly after the liberation of France.

If the foregoing were accepted, the French National Committee proposed:

(a)
Immediate coordination of military forces
(b)
Creation of a diplomatic union so that abroad there should only be one diplomatic voice for French opinion.
(c)
Cooperation in all economic matters

Pending the arrival of General Catroux now scheduled for March 12, these proposals are not to be formally presented but it will serve as the basis for preliminary discussions of the Fighting French Mission now here.

It is apparent that no real progress can be expected either along these lines or toward any definite fusion until Catroux’s return. De Gaullist representatives are reluctant to engage in any discussions of substance until that time which in turn gives the local authorities the impression that they are manifesting no particular desire for agreement. Giraud has seen Charbonniere and Pechkoff on two occasions and tells me their attitude is not encouraging.

It is feared this difficulty will persist until Catroux arrives. In Macmillan’s absence, Makins97 is telegraphing his Government urging that its influence be brought to bear to induce Catroux to expedite his return. [Murphy.]

Wiley
  1. Information on these proposals received from British sources had been transmitted to the Department earlier by the Chargé in the United Kingdom in telegram No. 1449, February 26, 9 p.m. (851.01/1026½).↩
  2. Roger Makins, Assistant to the British Minister Resident at Allied Force Headquarters, Mediterranean Command.↩