851.01/1013: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
1117. For the Chargé d’Affaires. I received two cables yesterday, your 1184, February 16, 2 p.m., and your 1191, February 16, 4 p.m.,91 that I wish you would discuss either with Eden or Cadogan, in your judgment. In the former telegram you refer to their forthcoming visit to this country with an idea of ascertaining whether American ideas and British ideas differ. You then went on to make specific reference to General de Gaulle (who is heading a French Movement and supported by British funds, as is understood here, because of the aid General de Gaulle may contribute to the cause of the United Nations in defeating the Axis powers)
In your second telegram under reference there is quoted a statement of General de Gaulle to a representative of the American Government that General de Gaulle (who, as stated above, is financially supported by the British Government as the leader of the Free French Movement in London) believes that the United States Government, through the Department of State, favors the establishment of fascist regimes in all European countries. You may point out to Mr. Eden I find [Page 60] these two telegrams difficult to reconcile and that I entirely approve the statement made by you and reported in your telegram 1184, February 16, 2 p.m. that “there was considerable feeling in American quarters that the British had not exercised all the control or influence over General de Gaulle and his advisers they could at a time when they were stirring up public clamor and creating difficulties for all concerned.” I should like a telegraphic report of your conversation based on these instructions.
- Latter not printed.↩