851.48/227: Telegram

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

229. Your telegram 251, February 28, 8 p.m.37 giving French food requirements for unoccupied zone.

The French Ambassador came in this morning at his request.37a I took occasion to inform him again that we have been giving all our attention to this situation on the basis of your telegram and a similar memorandum presented by him, that we have had several conversations with the British Government on the subject and that the latter was giving all possible consideration to the various aspects of the [Page 125] proposals. On March 7, I had told the French Ambassador that some real progress in the discussions had already been made. Then de Brinon’s38 statement and Admiral Darlan’s interview with the press threatening the use of French naval convoys introduced a new element and came as a surprise to this Government.

I again recalled to the Ambassador our earnest desire to be helpful to France in its present difficulties and our readiness to continue to devote our best efforts toward obtaining some solution. In our approach to the problem we recognized that France, under the armistice, is laboring under certain restrictions with regard to its independence of movement but we must also bear in mind that on the other hand France is not required to take any action which inures to the benefit of the occupying power. Should the French Government take any action against Great Britain, particularly if it were of a military nature, France would lose before the world any claim to having acted within the limits of the obligations imposed by the armistice terms and would place itself in the position of a belligerent acting in concert with Germany.

I pointed out that we will go ahead with our endeavors to be helpful to France but, of course, it must be clear to the French Government that our efforts will be made of no avail if by their acts they make it impossible for us to continue discussions with regard to these problems by interposing indications or threats of drastic military measures.

I can assure you that we have not ceased to discuss with the British the possibilities of sending some shipments of wheat into unoccupied France and we feel that we are justified in believing that a definite amount will be permitted to go forward within a very short time, provided that the present controversial atmosphere can be clarified.

Please seek an early opportunity to see Marshal Pétain and point out to him the difficulties which are being put in the way of our efforts to be helpful in this situation and tell him that we would be very grateful for any action he could take which would help to smooth out the present difficulties.

Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. See supra.
  3. Fernand de Brinon, Delegate General of the French Government for occupied territories.