DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
      MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
 
      DATE: MARCH 15, 1941
 
      
 
 
SUBJECT: BRITISH-FRENCH RELATIONS
 
      
 
 
PARTICIPANTS: SECRETARY OF STATE HULL AND THE BRITISH AMBASADOR, 
      LORD HALIFAX
 
      
 
 
The British Ambassador called at my request.
 
      
 
 
I referred again to the very delicate relations between Great 
      Britain and France and the danger of the situation getting out 
      of hand. I said that this Government, as he knows, has devoted 
      much time and effort to keep the French and British situation 
      from drifting into a dangerous stage, and especially to induce 
      the French never to turn over their Navy to Hitler for his military 
      use; that the Darlan threat, whether it was in earnest or a bluff, 
      seemed to be more a move to secure a favor with Hitler than to 
      get relief for the people of France. The one supreme purpose 
      of the Laval-Darlan group seemed
 
      to