740.0011 European War 1939/6408: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:10 p.m.]
871. From a reliable source I learn that a few days ago a delegation of eight French naval officers from Toulon called on Admiral Darlan. They told him that the navy was fully prepared to defend France and French colonies against all comers but that they could not answer either for themselves or for their men if any attempt were made either directly or indirectly to force officers to “collaboration” with Germany.
From the same source I learn that on Thursday morning Pierre Lyautey, nephew of the famous Marshal and Candace, Deputy from La Guadeloupe, called upon Admiral Platon, the Minister of Colonies, and expressed their anxiety with respect to reports of possible changes in the status of France’s African possessions in view of the newly proclaimed policy of Franco-German collaboration. Admiral Platon, said my informant, assured them that as long as he remains as Minister of Colonies there will be no change in the colonial status involving German or Italian participation in their administration. Similarly I understand that General Weygand declined to return to France to participate in the current negotiations; that he reiterated assurances he had formerly given that he would maintain the unity of France’s African territories, but not if any German or Italian control or “collaboration” were involved.
The foregoing encouraging reports should serve somewhat to help restrict the limits to which Laval may be able to go. They are a further indication that the “peace negotiations” on the large scale which Hitler and Laval apparently both wished have for time being been blocked.