Telegram from the Foreign Office to the British Embassy, Washington 
      dated October 21st, 1940
 
      
 
 
Following is a summary of reply of the Vichy Government to 
      our last communication. Begins.
 
      
 
 
(1) The French Government welcome British overtures but make 
      the following comments on the points raised in the British note:
 
      (a) France never has been or will be the aggressor and the French 
      Government do not understand the British threat in the event 
      of French aggression. They will oppose with all their force any 
      further British attacks on, or support for, military action against 
      their ships or territory.
 
      
 
 
(b) The French Government agree that conversations, when they 
      take place, might profitably be developed within the sphere of 
      discussions between the two Ambassadors at Madrid on September 
      27th.
 
      
 
 
(c) The French Government reoognlse neither the cause nor 
      the authority of General de Oaulle. There is only one French 
      Government charged with the defenoe of the Empire and eventual 
      restoration of its integrity. Recognition of any other authority 
      or support of an attempt to detach the French possessions from 
      Vichy would deprive some word [undecipherable! necessary basis 
      of any attempt towards appeasement between the two countries. 
      As His Majsty's Government shares the desire of the French Government 
      for a détente their policy