851.33/211: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Leahy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—11:30 a.m.]
1531. My 1523, December 11, 7 p.m. We called on Rochat this evening who officially delivered to us three memoranda containing the replies to the question[s] I delivered yesterday [to] Marshal Pétain in the form of three memoranda. He said that “the Marshal has been happy to give you complete satisfaction and assurances on all the questions which you raised.”
[Here follows translation of the first memorandum concerning the political position of France in North Africa, printed on page 498.]
The second memorandum dealing with the question of the carrier Bearn and other Naval vessels reads as follows:
“The President of the United States has asked the Marshal to issue orders to Admiral Robert not to allow the departure of any French Naval ship from Martinique or from any other port in the Western Hemisphere.
The French Government has the honor to inform the Government of the United States that it is sending the said order. These instructions, moreover, are but a confirmation of those which were sent last year to Admiral Robert following the agreement reached between the two Governments in order to maintain the status quo of French possessions in the Western Hemisphere.6 The French Government does not doubt that the American Government continues to give, under [Page 201] present circumstances, its full value to this agreement. It would be happy to receive confirmation thereof.”
The third memorandum states that, “As a result of the declaration of war by Germany and Italy against the United States, the French Government intends to maintain an attitude of neutrality during this conflict”.
[The remainder of this telegram is printed on page 498.]