812.79600/1–2645
The Acting Secretary of State to President Roosevelt 28
Telegram for the President
Clipperton Island situation deteriorating rapidly. French have (1) made formal protest of our acting without requesting prior authorization and suggested that French Navy capable of organizing necessary meteorological services in liaison with ours; and (2) requested assurances that we will not molest vessel which they have ordered to Clipperton from Mexico with French Military Attaché on board.
We believe it would be easier to obtain post-war military base rights from French than from Mexicans because of latter’s attitude on similar questions.
[Page 790]I therefore strongly urge that:
- (a)
- We stand on Mexican acceptance of international award of Clipperton to France and leave Mexicans out of question.
- (b)
- We refuse to permit vessel to proceed to Clipperton from Mexico but offer to take French officer designated by French Naval Mission here on visit of inspection. This should materially ease present tension.
- (c)
- In replying to French note we ignore suggestion for joint meteorological service, stress emergency character of our station on Clipperton, indicate that our action does not affect question of sovereignty over Island and that we will expect to enter into discussions later regarding use of Island in connection with post-war security.
I regard the above matter as extremely urgent since the present situation may easily lead to an incident which, because of the basic weakness of our position, could seriously and needlessly impair our relations with the French, at a time when they are exceptionally sensitive to all matters affecting their sovereignty, and provide our enemies with an additional propaganda weapon.
- President Roosevelt was aboard the U.S.S. Quincy en route to Malta to meet Prime Minister Churchill prior to flying to Yalta for the conference with Marshal Stalin.↩