851G.01/14: Telegram
The Deputy Ambassador in France (Biddle)57 to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p.m.]
47. My telegram No. 41, June 20, 1 p.m.58 Chauvel showed us this afternoon the text of the pertinent decree which he hopes will be signed today. It gives broadest possible powers to local French colonial authorities to handle important matters of policy customarily referred to the government at Paris and it covers all French possessions overseas.
He likewise showed us a copy of a cable just received addressed by the French Ambassador at Tokyo to the Governor General of Indo-China with reference to shutting off of gasoline shipments to the Chinese. Henry indicated that he felt the Japanese are actively seeking a pretext for attacking Indo-China and Chauvel considers the situation in that respect “highly menacing”. He suggested we cable you to that effect.