740.0011 European War 1939/24255a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Dakar (Flexer)
90. Department’s 86, September 2, 10 p.m. The Department has been reliably informed from a secret source that the Germans are sending one observer to Dakar and that Boisson was only induced to withdraw his resignation by the assurance that the German observer would be permitted to remain in Dakar for a temporary period, in principle for not more than 3 weeks. We have heard from other reliable sources that pressure is being applied to have Boisson withdrawn from Dakar.
If Boisson has returned from Vichy you may express to him our appreciation that he has succeeded for such a long period in keeping Germans out of French West Africa and that we realize the tremendous pressure which has been brought to bear on him, particularly of late. He should be given encouragement in his efforts to prevent a German commission from being established at Dakar. You may add in confidence that we are exploring as rapidly as possible the question of obtaining shipping for the inauguration of an economic supply program for French West Africa.