740.0011 European War 1939/4196: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:20 p.m.]
40. Supplementing my telegram dated June 26, 7 a.m. High Commissioner8 informs me in strictest confidence that he and General [Page 893] Mittelhauser are now uncertain as to attitude of forces in North Africa and fleet and are profoundly disturbed. Their uncertainty and discouragement is causing great concern to the head of the British liaison mission with the French forces here. He tells me that he has discussed the situation frankly with the General and various officers and that while he is convinced of the former’s courage and enheartened by the splendid morale of the great majority he shares their fear that if the French forces here find themselves without support from those in North Africa and the fleet some reservists will be tempted to accept the decision of the Bordeaux Government in the hope of being reunited with their families in France. He anticipates that in such an event many French officers and possibly entire units will join up with the British forces in Palestine or Egypt; and I know of a number of officers who are disposed to take such a step.
The High Commissioner assures me that the reaction to his declaration when the signing of the armistice was announced, to the effect that he and the General were in complete accord in their determination to carry on without any thought of capitulation, has been most gratifying not only in the enthusiastic and unanimous response of all French citizens here but also in manifestations of loyalty on the part of the native population and particularly in the case of Moslems. It is because of his responsibility toward [apparent omission] who have committed themselves in response to his appeal that he is now so bewildered.
If the Department prefers such telegrams in Brown code by direct wireless instead of in this cipher by round about cable route instructions would be appreciated.
- Gabriel Puaux.↩