740.0011 European War 1939/6117
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray)
During a call from M. Jacques Truelle, Counselor of the French Embassy, yesterday, he informed me that he had been instructed by [Page 913] his Government to make a categorical denial of the reports published in the press in this country on September 26 to the effect that Premier Mussolini had demanded, in Italo-French armistice negotiations, that French naval bases, airdromes and military centers in Syria and the Lebanon should be turned over to Italian armed forces.
There is attached a clipping from the New York Times25a representing the United Press story emanating from Cairo and dated September 25. The story reports in detail eleven “demands” said to have been made by the Italians during the above-mentioned negotiations.
M. Truelle stated that it was obvious to him that this story emanating from Cairo as it did was entirely British propaganda and he expressed the view that it was deplorable beyond words that the British persist in spreading lies of this kind in times like these when France’s fate is hanging in the balance. He added that, while he was not instructed by his Government to do so, he nevertheless earnestly hoped that officials of this Government would point out to British officials here and in London the folly of these methods and the disastrous consequences that might ensue for France if the British persist in spreading propaganda tales of this kind.
I told M. Truelle that I would bring his views to the attention of the appropriate authorities of the Department.
- Not reprinted.↩