JT
This telegram must be                        PARIS
closely paraphrased be-
fore being communiated                       Dated May 14, 1940
to anyone. (D)
                                        Rec'd 3:53 p.m.
 
Secretary of State,
 
     Washington.
 
     RUSH
 
     657, May 14, 7 p.m.
 
     SECRET AND PERSONAL FOR THE PRESIDENT.
 
     The Germans have launched the greatest attack of modern times on the French army from
the point where  the Maginot line ends at Montmedy  northwestward to the line Sedan Givet
Dinant Namur. They have put in four armored divisions and many other troops and an
overwhelming number of tanks and airplanes. This /^is as you know, the shortest road to Paris.
     The Belgians have been obliged to fall back to the line of Namur Louvain Malines
Antwerp. Dutch resistance has been almost crushed.
     At this moment news has reached the French general staff that certain dispositions of
airplanes and troops indiate that Mussolini is contemplating making a direct attak on France and
that the has adjourned his attack on Yugoslavia.
                                             There