851R.01/297: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—8:54 p.m.]
387. For the President and Secretary of State from Murphy. I have just returned from the public meeting held under the auspices of the local Alsace and Lorraine Committee at which Giraud delivered his declaration mentioned in my 383, March 14, 5 p.m. He met with enthusiastic reception and it may be helpful to you to know that the patriotic audience representing a good cross-section of French public opinion particularly applauded those portions of the address relating to resistance to the Nazis and the sufferings of the French population; the idea that France has faith in herself; that the French Army of victory will join the people of France in the liberation of the homeland with the help the United States, Great Britain and Russia; that France will take her place among the victorious nations; that the people of France will become masters of their destinies and then constitute their provisional government according to the laws of the Republicans; that Giraud and those with him are the servants of the French people today and tomorrow will be the servants of the provisional government freely chosen by the French people; that post-armistice legislation has no legal validity; that measures are being taken to reinstate public assemblies and eliminate Nazi-imposed laws of racial discrimination; the wish for the union of all Frenchmen.
[Page 74]Your public approval of this excellent statement of fundamentals is essential. It should be linked if possible with the expressed hope that a victorious France will come to the peace table fortified by the knowledge that her position among the nations is intact.
One of the factors which preys on the confidence of many is the fear that the prostrate situation of their country provides too great a temptation to the Allies in respect of the future of French territories abroad.
I am told that Bergeret has resigned and other personnel changes will follow.
Jean Monnet has done a grand job. [Murphy.]