851D.00/100

The Consul at Cayenne (LaMont) to the Secretary of State

No. 91

Sir: I have the honor to refer to my telegram No. 15 of March 17, 11 [10] A.M.35 and subsequent ones regarding the adhesion of this government to General Giraud and the Fighting French movement, and to submit herewith a copy of a declaration of the Governor and a copy of the declaration of the local committee36 temporarily directing the affairs of the Colony.

It should be noted that the Governor does not mention in his declaration, which was published in the Journal Officiel in a special issue March 17, 1943, whether he is adhering to the regime of General De Gaulle or General Giraud but he informed me that he was placing his government at the disposition of General Giraud and he showed me a telegram he sent to the latter so stating. It should be noted also that the Governor says he took this action in order to assure under the most favorable conditions the existence of the Colony and the life of the population. He says nothing about the justice of the allied cause nor of his own convictions. While he told me personally that this action came from his heart it is obvious that he did not take it until he was absolutely forced to do so by the local population including most of the French officials. Furthermore that his adhesion to the allied cause was lukewarm to say the least is shown by the fact that in the Radio Presse for March 17, 1943, after this declaration in bold type, official German communiqués are given as usual including German censored news from France.

The proclamation of the Committee was designed to indicate that the change in the local regime was brought about without outside intervention and without a drop of blood being shed. The committee desires that this proclamation be given as wide publicity as possible. The reference to the Brazilian Consul and myself in the final paragraph of the proclamation was without our knowledge or consent.

Respectfully yours,

George D. LaMont
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