851.515/213: Telegram
The Acting American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:10 p.m.]
1995. Departments 1840, June 11, 7 p.m. Although Murphy had discussed with Massigli informally last night the recent French utterances on currency matters, I called on Massigli this noon and made more formal representations. I stated that I could not hide the concern and shocked surprise of the Treasury and of the Department of State at the statements made in London, particularly since we had been given to understand that no publicity was to be given to the matter. Some of the statements were in fact a reflection upon the authority of the Commander in Chief. At a time when military operations were paramount, it was regrettable that the currency issue which was only incidental to those operations should receive such prominence as a point of disagreement. I added that this attitude if persisted in might adversely affect operations and hence have unfortunate [Page 712] results not only for the United States and Britain but for France itself.
Massigli who took notes of these statements and said that he would transmit the substance thereof to London appeared very much worried. He attempted rather halfheartedly I felt to defend the position and suggested that the continued refusal by the United States Government to enter into an over-all political agreement with the French authorities was through its injurious effect upon French public opinion also harmful to the general war effort.
As I knew that Mendes-France had told Murphy (our 1981, June 12, midnight) that he did not feel it worthwhile to go to London at this stage, I asked Massigli if the General was returning shortly and could discuss currency matters with Mendes-France. He replied that he was returning within the week.