7243 (contd.)
 
given orders for the operation to be effected. His
 
reason for doing so had been that when he gave the
 
assurance mentioned in the second paragraph above he
 
did not know the Canadian Government intended with
 
the approval of the United States Government to send
 
certain personnel to St. Pierre in order to secure
 
control of the wireless station by peaceful means and
 
if this failed by force. On learning this General de
 
Gaulie had addressed a letter to the Foreign Secretary
 
in which he protested against such a decision being 
 
taken without consultation with him and had declared
 
the National Committee would lose its reasons for
 
Existence if it agreed to forceful action being taken
 
by the Allied forces on French Territory. General de
 
Gaulle had asked that his views should be brought to
 
the notice of the Canadian Government. 'l'his was done
 
by telegram on December 24th. Free French Delegation
 
in the United States had been already instructed to
 
inform the State Department.A summary of this letter
 
went to you in my telegram to. 7216.
 
4.   It was pointed out to Mons. De jean that
 
 
General de Gaulie in his letter had not withdrawn his
 
               -2-