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)39
No. M–28. This message for Murphy. Reference your 749 Personal for Leahy.40 It is utterly impossible to arrange for delay of operation to which we are already committed. Therefore the decision of the President is that the operation will be carried out as now planned and that you will do your utmost to secure the understanding and cooperation of the French officials with whom you are now in contact. You should explain to Flagpole that the extreme hazards involved in any leakage of our plans makes it impossible to give notice far in advance of the movement, even though we were assured of full French cooperation. Point out to Flagpole that a premature disclosure, which is an inevitable possibility where so many people are involved, would jeopardize not only our plans but their hopes. Furthermore, Torch represents the only hope in the predictable future for the redemption of France and it involves a tremendous naval, shipping, air, and troop concentration. It cannot be delayed. It must be executed. Therefore there can be no change in the plan as recommended by you.
You will not divulge the date or location of landings to anybody until Eisenhower authorizes you to do so.