740.0011 European War 1939/26147: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—12:10 p.m.]
2110. My 2071, November 24, 10 a.m.23 According British Naval Liaison Head in Cairo it seemed possible French Fleet in Alexandria might come over following Toulon affair24 but when Godefroy consulted his captains he found opinions divided and nothing materialized. There was also idea of making for Dakar but that abandoned owing rallying West Africa to Darlan and letter recently addressed to Godefroy by Darlan asking fleet to join him said to have made Godefroy even more obdurate since he professes to regard Darlan “arch traitor”.
Same source states situation now is that Godefroy still pondering matter with little prospect of doing anything, but British increasingly dissatisfied with his vacillation and considering forcing issue, possibly by threatening abrogate Cunningham-Godefroy agreement and discontinue financing.