851.01/10–2244: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22—6:20 p.m.]
9076. ReEmbs 9075, October 22, 8 p.m.93 Text of British note reads as follows:94
“The Supreme Allied Commander has reached agreement with the competent French authorities regarding the transfer of the larger part of France, including Paris, from a forward to interior zone as defined in memorandum No. 1 of the Civil Affairs Agreement of August 25 last. This means that the conduct of the administration of the area of France in question and the responsibility therefor is now a matter [Page 747] for the Central French authority, which thus effectively exercises the powers of Government in that area.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have decided that this circumstance makes it appropriate that they should recognize the present French administration as the Provisional Government of France and henceforth treat with it on that basis. In consequence, His Majesty’s Government consider it desirable that their representation on Paris should be placed on a more regular footing and that their representative should be accredited to the Provisional Government by His Majesty’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. They will be glad to learn whether the Provisional Government are willing to accept Duff Cooper in that capacity.”
Text of statement for release to the press at 5 p.m. tomorrow reads:
[Here follows all of the note quoted above except the last two sentences.]