Message from the Prime Minister to the President, dated January 
                           23rd, 1942.                      
 
                             Personal                       
 
                                                            
 
 
I saw General de Gaulle yesterday and after a severe conversation 
      he agreed to the communiqué which I left with you being 
      published by United States, British and Canadian Governments 
      without any acceptance by us of his proposed secret conditions. 
      He feels it necessary to consult Admiral Muselier who is a member 
      of the National Committee but I understand that I am to receive 
      final assent of Free French tomorrow when I will immediately 
                  telegraph confirmation to you.            
 
                                                            
 
 
2. Assuming the above, what procedure do you want followed? 
      Will Mr. Hull put it to Vichy or will you simply issue communiqué 
      straight away? I think the latter course would be better and 
      these two tiny islands can then relapse into the obscurity from 
which they have more than once emerged since the Treaty of U
 
                                                            
 
 
3. Meanwhile we are also informing Canada and asking them 
      to communicate through appropriate channels with you. It is important 
      that no statement should be made till the Canadians' definite 
                   agreement has been received.             
 
                                                            
 
 
4. I do hope the solution for which I have worked here will 
      be satisfactory to Mr. Hull and the State Department. I understood 
      fully the difficulty in which they were placed. Public opinion 
      here was of course delighted at the Vichyites being overthrown 
      by an overwhelming popular vote and (1 word undecipherable) of 
      de Gaulle would have been very popular.