851.01/2139: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:20 p.m.]
906. For the President and the Secretary from Murphy. General Catroux tells me today in strict confidence that he begins to despair that the tactics insisted upon by de Gaulle will lead to nothing but confusion and division among the French people. He said that he had just received a long communication from de Gaulle expressing the greatest distrust of American policy which he asserts is opposed to French union and a strong France. De Gaulle, he said, expressed fear that the United States is counting on an early Italian debacle and would be willing to make concessions to Italy at the expense of France in order to arrive at an early armistice with Italy. De Gaulle also asserted that Giraud is nothing but an American puppet who could not be trusted with political power which must be centered in the person of de Gaulle. The latter expressed also resentment over what he considers an American maneuver to prevent his arrival in the city of Algiers, insisting that the proposition of meeting in some place outside the city such as Bou-Saâda or Biskra is designed to prevent his easy communication with the French National Committee and consultation with representative elements here (this is of course absurd).
[Page 122]Catroux also informs me that about 15 days ago de Gaulle ordered Generals de Larminat and Leclerc to report to de Gaulle directly, thus relieving Catroux of his command of those troops which he had originally organized and which he commanded.
Catroux also stated that de Gaulle’s pretention that de Gaulle only be considered as the chief of resistance in France due to the spontaneous support of elements there is simply a maneuver to strengthen his position. Information coming to Catroux from sources in France contradicts this pretention. One of the reasons which encouraged de Gaulle to take the stand is a message said to have been received by de Gaulle from Herriot to the effect that he would be willing to participate in a government formed by de Gaulle. Catroux said that with all due deference to Herriot the French people today demand new men in their political leadership and that he is convinced that practically none of the old guard will be acceptable. Catroux said that Frenchmen generally understood that Giraud has no long term political ambitions and have no fear that he will endeavor to set himself up as a military dictator, which would be obviously impossible.
Catroux also urged that we insist that the French forces commanded by General Leclerc in Tunisia be obliged to leave there with the Eighth Army as, notwithstanding the orders of General Eisenhower, they continue to carry on an active recruiting campaign, using every means to induce members of Giraud’s forces to desert and join with them.
Catroux recommends that the British and American Governments, possibly through Admiral Stark, take a definite stand, making it clear that they support fully the idea of French unity but that they oppose de Gaulle’s drive for personal power. Catroux pointed out that the British Government has ample means at its disposal to insist on the termination of de Gaulle’s present tactics.
Giraud and Catroux are conferring this afternoon and it is expected that later in the day Giraud will approve his reply to de Gaulle’s last communication the text of which follows in a separate telegram.32 [Murphy.]