851.01/2144: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—6:50 p.m.]
3436. De Jean, Massigli’s chef de cabinet, called this afternoon very much discouraged. He confirmed that the message from the so-called Council of French Resistance and the organization of the Council were the work solely of André Philip. He said that frankly he sees little chance of de Gaulle’s accepting any agreement with the North African administration which will not leave him in effective control and with every facility “to prepare for his dictatorship after the liberation of France”. De Jean mentioned in this connection that de Gaulle had instructed Palevski33 today to ascertain whether decisions of the French Council of Ministers were customarily taken by majority vote—an inquiry which De Jean said had obvious reference to any [Page 124] proposed overseas council or executive committee. A member of the Fighting French movement and close friend of De Jean returned recently from Mexico. He spoke of the importance of reaching agreement with Giraud not only for the future role of France in the war but because of the effect throughout the world. To this General de Gaulle replied that unity is really unimportant since he, de Gaulle, had already been chosen (plebiscite) by the people of France as their present and future leader.
De Jean further said that de Gaulle’s game in insisting that the meeting be held at Algiers was with the intent of stirring up such acclamations by the crowd as would enable him to refuse any concessions to General Giraud that would not afford him, de Gaulle, full political control; he could always say that he personally was prepared to step aside but this would be a betrayal of the people’s wishes.
This admission from within Carlton Gardens itself seems not without interest.
Repeated to Algiers.
- Gaston Palewski, of General de Gaulle’s staff at London.↩