851.00/5–246: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:42 p.m.]
2119. Although the referendum is only 3 days distant there is still speculation as to whether or not the French people will accept or reject the new constitution next Sunday.49 …
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Should the constitution be rejected in the referendum there has been some talk, particularly in rightist circles, that the Communists may endeavor to seize power prior to the June elections by some form of [Page 435] illegal action.50 Such a possibility, however, is considered very unlikely by well-informed officials and observers who believe that the Communists will not risk any illegal coup, since regardless of the referendum outcome they hope greatly to improve their position by legal means in the June 2 elections.51
- May 5.↩
- On May 2 Headquarters, United States Forces, European Theater (USFET) informed the War Department of a report by the Western Base Section that indicated the possibility of an armed uprising by French Communists if the proposed constitution were rejected in the forthcoming referendum. USFET G–2 agreed that an uprising was possible but considered it improbable. (War Department message 86851, May 4, 1946, filed with memorandum from the Military Attaché in Paris to the Ambassador, May 2, 1946 (not printed), Lot 55 F 43, box 3, folder 800–C).↩
- Ambassador Caffery had presented a similar evaluation of an earlier report in telegram No. 1249, March 14, 1946, 6 p.m., not printed (851.00/3–1446).↩