TELEGRAM SENT
 
          DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                         WASHINGTON
 
possessions.  We feel that the formula submitted, with its
 
guarantee that the islands shall remain French, and with the
 
undertaking to continue economic assistance to St. Pierre
 
and Miquelon, will fully safeguard the French Government's
 
concern about these islands during the war.
 
     You should see Marshall Petain at the earliest possible
 
moment and impress upon him the importance of reaching a
 
solution along these lines which maintains the purely French
 
tradition of these islands for the future. You may, in your
 
discretion, point out that time is of the essence, since the
 
longer the matter remains in its present status the more likely
 
it is to become crystallized and the more difficult it will be
 
to bring about a satisfactory solution.
 
     We have shown this telegram to the Canadian and British
 
Governments and it has their full concurrence.
 
     Until we receive an expression of opinion from the
 
French Government regarding this formula, the matter will
 
not be discussed with Admiral Robert or the French Ambassador.
 
S: CH             PA/D             Le            Eu
 
 
 
 
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