862.24/602: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Cole) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:07 p.m.]
122. For the Under Secretary from Murphy. Vice Admiral Fénard77 returning from the French African conference at Vichy asked me to call stating that he wished to assure me that no questions other than economic and administrative had been discussed at the conference.
He stated in strictest confidence that all shipments of supplies to Libya and the use of French vessels for that purpose have terminated.
Fénard delivered a long discourse on the political and eventual military advantages which would flow to the United States from our continued prosecution of the economic program for North Africa.
He declared with strict injunction that he be not quoted that until the United States is really prepared for military support of this area that we have little to lose and much to gain by maintaining a tangible bond between the United States and French Africa. His argument included a long exposition with which I shall not burden the Department of the effect on public and official French opinion which he said would accompany the arrival of one tanker loaded with petroleum products.
[Page 258]I urged that military stocks of gasoline in Algeria be used for civilian purposes suggesting that if eventually the French wished to defend the area we would be able undoubtedly to provide for their needs promptly.
Fénard, who said he had six private interviews with Darlan, referred to current conversations at Vichy with Ambassador Leahy (about which the Embassy has kept me informed) stating that while the note of February 1678 did not include the assurances desired by the President, prior to his departure from Vichy the draft of a new note had been prepared which contained “every assurance” desired by the President. He said he had reason to believe the note would be delivered to Ambassador Leahy immediately. [Murphy.]