840.20/9–2048: Telegram
The Under Secretary of State (Lovett) to the Embassy in France
us urgent
3727. For Ambassador. As you know French have for months been pleading with us for immediate assistance in rearming French forces. Through Vandenberg Resolution, military talks in London and exploratory political talks here we have been laying basis for long range assistance but French have insistently asked immediate help. We have explained patiently that equipment necessary for any large scale assistance in rearming French forces does not exist, that it must be produced and cannot be produced until arrangements for payment are made which in turn involve, in absence of French ability to pay dols, legislation and appropriations from US Treasury. Nevertheless we have made every effort to find some means of assisting French forces from our own very limited availabilities. President has now approved transfer from US stocks in Germany to French forces of equipment adequate substantially to reequip three French divisions now in Germany. Steps to implement this authorization are now being taken on military level.
You may inform FonMin foregoing on top secret basis.