851.01/3868: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Chapin)
1741. For information of Chapin and Murphy. The contents of your 1781, May 30,7 and 1799, May 31, have been brought to the attention of the President who up to the present has given no indication that proposed conversations in London will be “tripartite” to the extent that that implies our participation in discussions on a political level. As you of course know all discussions up to now have been held by General Eisenhower and his staff with General Koenig.
Hoppenot came to see me yesterday afternoon at his request and stated that the purpose of his visit was an informal attempt to clarify the present status of relations between the Committee and the United States. He said that since the statements contained in my speech of April 9,8 which had been received with great satisfaction by de Gaulle and members of the Committee, there had been no indication of any practical implementation of my remarks. While he would welcome a general clarification of the situation he wished particularly to speak of two specific points which were causing uneasiness and comment in Algiers. The first was the question of American participation in the conversations envisaged in London. The second was a statement attributed to a spokesman of General Eisenhower to the effect that the latter would be responsible for civilian administration in France after the Allied landings. I merely stated that I had just received two reports from you (your 1781 and 1799) which had been referred to the President. I concluded that I did not feel I could speak for the President but that if the latter had any comment to make, the substance of such comment would be communicated to our diplomatic representatives in Algiers and London.
Repeated to London for Phillips.