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     While one may be fully justified in looking at the difficulties of the Marshal's ending years
with understanding sympathy, it seems necessary to reluctantly relinquish what was perhaps
always only a faint hope that it might be possible for me through friendly personal relations and
pertinent advice to give some semblance of backbone to a jellyfish.
 
             The pro-Axis, anti-British group which surrounds the aged Marshal is responsive only to
positive action. Admiral Darlan is reported by one of our friends, a subordinate in his office, to
have said before the event that America would not take any positive action if Weygand should be
removed.
 
     It would appear to promise some effect in strengthening the Marshal's opposition to future
demands of the Axis and its supporters within his Government if we should now seize the
initiative to the extent of directing the American Ambassador to inform him that the United is
seriously concerned in regard to probable future demands of the Axis powers in Africa, and that if
the Axis powers are hereafter granted in the colonies or in France any further privileges or
assistance, that are not specifically required by the Armistice Agreement and that will be of
assistance to their military effort, the United States will recall its Ambassador and will take action
in regard to French possessions in America and in Africa as is considered advantageous to our
defensive preparations.
 
     If the Ambassador should be directed to make such  a statement to the Marshal, we must
be prepared and determined to carry it out. To avoid a reaction contrary to our interests it must
not be a bluff.
                                                      
 
                         Most respectfully,                                           
 
                                   William D. Leahy