740.00112 European War 1939/3105: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State

967. Embassy’s telegram 957, July 29, 9 p.m. Rochat, we learn, was successful for the moment in forestalling any attempt to have Murphy “invited” to come to Vichy. Now, however, a further effort is developing largely on the initiative of Leroy Beaulieu, Director of Commercial Accords (who is rather definitely now in the collaborationist camp to help his position with his chief, Bouthillier61a) to suggest that Murphy come to Vichy for a few days to discuss the question of alcohol shipments from Algeria. Our friends in the Foreign Office, however, are taking the view that if such discussions are necessary, an official could be sent from Vichy to Algeria to talk matters over on the spot.

Repeated to Algiers.

Leahy
  1. Yves Bouthillier, French Secretary of State for National Economy and Finance.