4.   A telegram from the Foreign Office on December
 
19th said that in the view of the Chiefs of Staff
 
nothing short of the occupation of the islands "would be
 
satisfactory from Military point of view. This course
 
however now seems to be ruled out by United States
 
attitude."
 
5.           We received this morning a message despatched 
 
from the Admiralty to the British  Admiralty Delegation,
 
Washington, as follows--
 
          "Following has been received from
 
Admiral Muselier.  BEGINS:
 
     "I have the honour to inform you that
 
in compliance with order quite recently received
 
from General de Gaulle and request of inhabitants
 
I have proceeded this morning to Island Saint
 
Pierre and rallied people to Free France and
 
Allied cause with enthusiastic reception. ENDS.
 
     "2.       Please inform his Majesty's
 
Ambassador urgently. This action has come as
 
a complete surprise to us."
 
6.   From this it appears quite clear:
 
 
(a) that the Foreign Office knew and approved the
 
general authority given to the Free French headquarters
               -2-