FROM: STATE DEPARTMENT        190530CR1      19 May 1940
TO : PRESIDENT U.S.
VIA : NAVAL RADIO WASHINGTON
 
 
     AMBASSADOR BULLITT SAYS REGARDING A CONVERSATION HE HAD LAST
NIGHT WITH PREMIER REYNAUD THAT THE PRIMIERE  FEELS THAT THE
SITUATION  IS EXTREMLY XXXX SERIOUS.   GERMAN DRIVE IS DIRECTED
TOWARDS CHANNEL PORTS TO I NTERCEPT FRENCH TROOPS IN BELGIUM AND
TO SECURE BASES FOR ATTACKS ON GREAT BRITAN.    IF GERMANY IS
SUCCESSFUL ,BECAUSE OF HER GREATER IMMEDIATE STRENGTH
, AND GAINS THESE OBJECTIVES ,THE ALLIES MIGHT BE BEATEN INSIDE OF
SIXTY DAYS.    PREMIER REYNAUD WANTS THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE A
DECLARATION THAT THIS COUNTRY'S INTERSTS WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO PERMIT
THE ALLIES TO BE DEFEATED.   BULLITT TOLD HIM THAT SUCH A DECLARATION
WOULD HAVE NO GREAT VALUE BECAUSE OF CONGRESS.   REYNAUD SAID       
HE  COULD NOT UNDERSTAND ATTITUDE OF CONGRESS WHEN ULTIMATE
DEFEAT OF U.S.  IS  AT STAKE.     BULLITT REAFFIRMED THAT PUBLIC OPINION IN
AMERICA IS NOT READY  FOR SUCH A STEP.  REYNAUD REPLIED THAT IT AT
LEAST WOULD ENCOURAGE ALLIES AND DISCOURAGE THE ENEMIES
     AMBASSADOR BULLITT IS TRANSMITTING REQUEST FOR PREMIER WHO
WANTS AN EARLY REPLY TO HIS PLEA.
          AMBASSADOR AGREES WITH ESTIMATE OF GRAVITY OF SITUATION BUT
DOESNT BELIEVE SUCH A STATEMENT WOULD HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT.
 
 
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