740.0011 European War 1939/6595: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9—12:52 p.m.]
920. There is no question but that the Government is worried about the position of the African colonies. First of all Laval, echoing the feelings of his German friends, is much annoyed at General Weygand’s attitude. The General in an article published in a Moroccan paper the reproduction of which was prohibited in France is reported to have stated that French national honor would permit no abandonment of colonial territory. Weygand has apparently been much impressed upon breathing the free air of North Africa in the probability of a British victory and the spirit of resistance seems to have revived in [Page 615] him—stimulated no doubt by his bitter animosity to Laval (and to a lesser extent to the Marshal who sent him to North Africa at Laval’s instance). In fact he remarked that to Monick, the Secretary General of Morocco, as well as to several other people on different occasions that “Laval is like a dog, rolling in the dung of defeat”. In spite of the General’s personal prestige and fear of his influence in the colonies his position is precarious and I have just learned that he is about to be recalled. Even less secure is the position of General Noguès who has now arrived in Vichy for “consultation”. Apparently Laval henchmen are not entirely sure that he will fall in with their plans—whatever they may be—for the colonies or that he would under all circumstances be loyal to Vichy. (The best opinion here is that Noguès is a “political” general and that he will keep his eye pretty well glued to the weather vane.) He will in any event be put on the carpet and his future status seems somewhat doubtful. Admiral Esteva of Tunis as I have reported is likewise here and General Bergeret, the Minister of Air, has been sent to Dakar and North Africa for a personal exploration of the situation.
There is little tangible in the foregoing; it does show, however, that the colonial problem is definitely in the forefront at the moment and much may depend on Laval’s current talks with the Germans and the limits of “collaboration” to which the Marshal will agree.