851.01/7–344: Telegram
The Acting American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 4—3:51 a.m.]
2252. From Murphy. Joxe, Secretary General of French Committee of National Liberation, has informed us that General de Gaulle would not attempt to take up any serious problems during [Page 720] his visit to Washington. He, de Gaulle, had been informed that the President had stated recently, “je céderai rien” (I will concede nothing) in connection with the forthcoming visit of de Gaulle. When told that this was a ridiculous statement Joxe smiled and asserted that he wished it were but unfortunately a Frenchman who had recently arrived in Algiers and who was well placed in Washington officialdom had brought this report. When told that it must be Jean Monnet who has just arrived here Joxe smiled again and said he could not reveal the name. It was obvious that he had Monnet in mind.
Joxe added that de Gaulle had returned from London in a very relaxed state of mind. His visit to France had undoubtedly done wonders to calm him. He felt confident that nothing could stop him from achieving his goal which was to be acclaimed as the liberator of France. Joxe stated that de Gaulle’s attitude toward the British was much improved and that Duff-Cooper had done a great deal towards achieving this objective. He said among other things that de Gaulle was now convinced that Great Britain wanted a strong France in western Europe.
Joxe then asked for suggestions as to how de Gaulle should conduct himself in Washington. He was then asked how de Gaulle intended to conduct himself. Joxe replied that de Gaulle intended to be as agreeable as possible; that he would discuss any subject which the President might care to discuss; and that if there were any point to which he did not agree he would merely drop the subject and go on to something else. Joxe also stated that de Gaulle would present the President with a small gift probably a book at the beginning of his visit.
Joxe added that de Gaulle might make a very flattering statement on July 4 with regard to the United States.
Joxe then went on to say that while de Gaulle was in London he had had very intimate conversations with Eden on postwar plans. He said that Eden had spoken very frankly and fully and had not hesitated to say that he and Churchill were not in complete agreement. It seemed clear, said Joxe, that the Anglo-Saxons would probably be forced to allow the Soviet Union to do what she wished in Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkans and what de Gaulle was concerned about was where the line would be drawn. He said that de Gaulle while in Italy would call on the Pope and that he was determined to speak quite frankly to the Holy Father about the future of France. He knew that the Holy Father was very sympathetic with France’s position and he hoped to urge the Holy Father to use his great influence towards a real and just peace.
[Page 721]Joxe also spoke of recent reports received from French representatives in Italy regarding the Yugoslav situation.42 He asserted that it was completely incomprehensible to the French that the British should have fallen all over themselves playing up to Tito43 at a time when Tito had received a thorough thrashing from the Germans and had even been obliged to leave Yugoslav territory. He said that in deference to the British the French had delayed sending in their military mission to Tito which General Velebit had requested but that they were now determined to go ahead and send it in as soon as possible. The French felt that the British were following a completely incomprehensible policy in the Balkans and could not see how it could come to any good.
Joxe concluded with the statement that he was very glad that General de Gaulle was going to Washington because “he has nothing to lose”.
Joxe also referred to Giraud during the conversation and said that he believes that General Giraud would soon be given some sort of a military command which he would accept as all reports showed he had become very bored in his self-imposed retirement.
Massigli tells me informally that while he had hoped to accompany de Gaulle on this trip he now believes the plan not to include any commissioners in the party is a good one and that he will hope to proceed to Washington sometime in the future. He added in that connection that he hoped that the “impossible” situation of French representation in Washington confused by the overlapping activities of Hoppenot, Monnet, Fénard, and St. Didier44 would be rectified. Massigli also confirmed in strictest confidence some phases of Joxe’s remarks especially that regarding de Gaulle’s intention to avoid opening subjects for discussion and that the initiative would be left to the President. [Murphy.]
- For correspondence regarding the Yugoslav situation, see vol. iv, section under Yugoslavia entitled “Concern of the United States with internal conditions in Yugoslavia”.↩
- Marshal Tito (Josip Broz), President of the National Liberation movement in Yugoslavia, and military leader of the Partisan guerilla forces in that country.↩
- Brosse de Saint-Didier, chief of a French military mission to the United States.↩