851T.50/22: Telegram

The Consul General at Dakar (Barnes) to the Secretary of State

60. Lord Swinton visited Dakar yesterday. He seemed most pleased by the friendly informal nature of the welcome extended to him by the Governor General. He was also gratified to learn while here of the acceptance by Washington of the joint recommendations reported in Glassford’s 252,000 January 25,78 and of the decision which will permit American-British economic experts to carry on informally under the two Consulates within the framework of the principles and policies established by NAEB.

Lord Swinton expressed to me the opinion that it would be most helpful if an American opposite number to him in West Africa were appointed and said that he understood that some thought had already [Page 53] been given to this subject in Washington. He added that should such an appointment be made it would doubtless be desirable bearing French susceptibilities in mind that General Giraud be kept informed of the general West African situation through the establishment by the General of a liaison arrangement with himself (Swinton) and his American colleague.

Repeated to Murphy.

Barnes
  1. Reference is to a telegram sent via military channels by Admiral Glassford conveying the substance of a memorandum, also dated January 25, entitled “Joint Recommendations by the British and American Economic Missions at Dakar”; memorandum not printed. This was the basis for Allied economic cooperation in French West Africa (Dakar Consulate General Files: 850).