740.0011 (E. W.)/11–742: Telegram
Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, to the Consul General at Algiers (Cole)88
No. M–2. From Handy for Murphy. Copies for Murphy and Eisenhower. This is reply to Murphy’s message of 15 October. [Page 397] Inform your contact we also have information that Germany contemplates occupation of African Colonies and it is our opinion that Darlan should resist aggression by Axis with Army and Navy in which event America will provide at once large scale military, material, and economic aid in the colonies.
Inform Giraud’s contact that question of command of French Army and Navy should be settled by Frenchmen and that America will undertake a large scale operation immediately upon resistance by French to Axis invasion of the Colonies.
Proposal that officers of American Staff visit Algeria has already been approved by Eisenhower, details will be cabled by Marshall.
In regard to the General’s departure via submarine it is considered that airplane passage is preferable, less subject to interruption, and more easily arranged. [Handy.]
- Copy supplied by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under cover of letter of September 7, 1960.↩