740.0011 European War 1939/12089: Telegram
The Chargé at Tangier ( Childs ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15—2:20 p.m.]
216. Concerning Admiral Esteva,23a I was informed by a high official in Rabat on June 1 that when the Admiral went to Tunisia as Resident General last year he was inclined toward collaboration with the Germans. It was stated that his reports now give evidence that he has become strongly anti-Axis.
He was described to me as a man of very great moral strength of character who is deeply religious and who would never lend his support to a false situation.
Monick was informed by Weygand and others that the support accorded Weygand by Esteva and Boisson24 at Vichy had been of the greatest possible assistance in checking the policy of collaboration, Esteva having protested most forcibly against the “lying” communiqués of Vichy.
Repeated to Vichy, Tunis and Casablanca by mail.