FS
This telegram must be Paris
closely paraphrased
before being communi- Dated May31, 1940
cated to anyone. (D)
Rec'd 6:42 a.m.
Secretary of State,
Washington
Rush
962, May 31, noon (SECTION ONE)
FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY
Your 534, May 30, 3 p.m.
The French Government is fully aware of the vitally useful part that our fleet is playing in
the Pacific.
Reynaud in appealing to me to request you to send the Atlantic fleet to the Mediterranean
said "We are most grateful for the presence of your fleet in the Pacific. Without firing a shot it is
keeping the war from spreading to the French and British Empires in the Far East. We hope it
will stay there. Your Atlantic fleet can play exactly the same role in the Mediterranean".
BULLITT
RR