-2- #939, November 12, 4 p.m. (SECTION TWO) from(Paris) Vichy.
 
has been so clumsily handled and so apparent that it constitutes just one more example of German
pyschological stupidity. It is however of some interest as showing the importance which they
attached to the defeat of the President. Laval's own action, obviously at German instigation, in the
sense of a peace offensive (my telegram No. 911, November 7, 6 p.m.) and the obvious German
hopes however unfounded that the President's defeat would make this more possible would seem
to constitute further straws in the wind that they are not too happy at the prospect of a long war
and our active material coopsration with the British--regardless of how often they say that our
help will arrive too late to be effective. (END OF MESSAGE)
 
                              MATTHEWS
 
NK