851.01/2121: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:45 p.m.]
846. From Murphy. I am informed that the text of de Gaulle’s reply to Giraud’s memorandum of April 27 has been handed to Bouscat in London. In the meanwhile, however, Catroux has informal knowledge of its contents.
It is understood that the reply only touches vaguely upon the primary considerations of the collective responsibility of the Executive Committee including the dual presidency and upon the constitution of the future provisional government. It states, however, that the French National Committee cannot accept Giraud’s proposal that the colonial governors and military commander should be members of the Central Council or that military commander should accept responsibility to the Allied Commander-in-Chief for the maintenance of order in liberated France, as in its opinion this pertains solely to the civil authority. The note further insists that de Gaulle shall come to Algiers and that a national consultative committee composed of ex-parliamentarians et cetera should be set up promptly in Algiers.
Pending official receipt of the note and further time for consideration it is understood no immediate action is contemplated, but I am assured that in the intervening period further progress will be made in the replacement of men.
To Department, repeated to London. [Murphy.]