symbol of resistance. Mr. Stimson then asked me my opinion as to what should be done regarding de Gaulle's claim that his Committee should be recognized as the provisional government. I told him that I thought it was right to refuse the demand of the de Gaulle Committee for recognition as the provisional government unsanctioned by the approval of the people of France. I did say, however, that there was danger that in France, as well as in England, it would be made to appear that it was your dislike of de Gaulle that prevented this recognition and that this should be avoided. In reply to Mr. Stimson's request for my suggestion, I said the following: We should keep in mind the admonition of Mr. Justice Holmes that "the elements need eternal repetition". Occasion should be taken now to clearly set forth the manner in which we would deal with the liberated areas. In doing that I thought we ought to put the military situation at the forefront and full recognition should be given to de Gaulle as a military leader under Eisenhower. This was particularly necessary since already formal recognition had been given to General Koenig |