851.01/9–944: Telegram
The Acting American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Paris61 (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 11—6:45 a.m.]
2. For Dunn from Reber. We called on Massigli this afternoon and found him anxious to establish a relationship on an intergovernmental [Page 732] basis as soon as possible rather than continue present military arrangements. He said French had been trying to find a formula in which the civil delegate would be subordinate to the Military Governor in the forward zone and would act as liaison between different military and Allied authorities. It was proposed that Coulet former Prefect of Normandy would act as civil delegate. At same time Coulet might be appointed delegate for the interior zone when such zones are established thus permitting continuity.
Massigli stated that reshuffling of Council of Ministers would soon be completed, that the Communists had accepted participation in portfolios offered them and that Jeanneney former President of the Senate would likewise become a Minister of State. He said this change in the administration was perhaps being given undue significance abroad. From such information as had reached him the importance of the Communist Party in France especially in Paris suburban and industrial districts had been overestimated even by the French Committee. The paramount point politically in Massigli’s estimation was that de Gaulle had been accepted universally and enthusiastically by the French people as the French leader.
Massigli asked us point-blank whether there was any indication that United States of America might now be prepared to change its policy toward France and to recognize present administration. He said he hoped that this universal acceptance of de Gaulle would permit us to close a chapter which if kept open would arouse considerable anxiety and misgiving among the majority of the people who had been unaware of the uneven nature of France American relations during recent months.
He informed us that the Canadian representative62 and Madame Vanier had arrived in Paris yesterday and that Duff-Cooper and wife were due next Wednesday.63 Without so stating it was clear to us that if the equivalent American representative should not be appointed in the immediate future the French authorities would draw the conclusion that the United States was not prepared to give the same support that Great Britain, Canada and others of the United Nations were extending. The French authorities expect the entire Diplomatic Corps formerly accredited to Algiers to arrive in Paris shortly.
In these circumstances we urge that if our Government is considering any appointment here announcement thereof be made without delay even though the new appointee might not be able to arrive in Paris for some weeks. [Reber.]