740.0011 Pacific War/2404a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Tuck)
307. Please present the following statement81a to Marshal Pétain or M. Laval82 immediately on receipt of this:
“The President of the United States has been informed that Madagascar has been occupied by British forces.83 This occupation has the full approval and support of the Government of the United States. The Island of Madagascar presents the definite danger to the United Nations of occupation or use by the Axis Powers, especially Japan. Such occupation by the Axis Powers would constitute a definite and serious danger to the United Nations, in their fight to maintain the kind of civilization to which France and to which the United Nations have been so long accustomed.
“The Government of the United States is at war with the Axis Powers and if it becomes necessary or desirable for American troops or ships to use Madagascar in the common cause, the United States will not hesitate to do so at any time.
“The United States and Great Britain are in accord that Madagascar will, of course, be restored to France after the war or at any time the occupation of Madagascar is no longer essential to the common cause of the United Nations.
“In view of the fact that the Island of Madagascar will be held in trust for France, in order to protect it from attack by any one [Page 699] of the Axis Powers, any war-like act permitted by the French Government against the Government of Great Britain or the Government of the United States would, of necessity, have to be regarded by the Government of the United States as an attack upon the United Nations as a whole.”