-2- #1099, July 28, 5 p.m. from (Paris) Vichy
 
Ever, he is nevertheless smarting from the fact that the
 
Germans sided Laval in ousting him and that his vindica-
 
tive  nature has aroused in him an intense anti-German
 
reaction. We   are  told by reliable officials, who classify
 
him as a "mental-eunuch" that he is still as ambitious
                                                                               
as ever and while he therefore might not be averse to playing the
 
Germa n game if convinced that the Nazis
 
are winning, he is content for the present not to be
 
mixed  in the fact to be deriving considerable pleasure
 
from Laval's present difficulties.
 
    While I have. not seen him or personally for some time
 
if the  reaction of his subordinates is correct, it would
 
appear that he does nott wish for the moment at least 
 
to have trouble with the United States or to be  considered anti-
 
American. A  possible straw in the wind is the fact tha.t
 
when I sent him a translation of the Navy,  Department's
 
communique on the Midway battle, he  relied  with a most
 
cordial note in which he '"rendered the homage which is
 
due to the tenacity and the brilliant courage of the 
 
American  vistors".
 
Repeated  to Bern.
 
 
TUCK