COPY
 
               MEMORADUM TO THE PRESIDENT
 
                 Subject: Arming of French Forces.
 
        In late August, the British Embassy approached the 
State Department, and the British Chiefs of Staff 
approached the Combined Chiefs of Staff, with reference 
to the adequate equipment of the forces of the Western 
European Allies, to enable them to maintain security in 
their own countries and to take part in occupying 
the question was asked whether the United 
States Government would be willing to re-equip a French 
Army for such purposes from American sources during the 
next few years, having in mind that present French land 
forces are provided with American munitions and materiel. 
British Chiefs of Staff suggested a continuance of 
British supply to Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands 
and Belgium.
 
     The United States Chiefs of Staff, through 
Admiral Leahy, stated to the Department that there was 
no objection on military grounds to the division of 
responsibility proposed but theft no commitments should 
be made that will be rigidly exclusive for the future.
 
    The authority to deliver supplies for security or 
occupation forces is given by the Lend-Lease Act, and 
these munitions could be furnished on straight lead-
lease or on credit under Section 3(c) of the Act. We 
could also furnish such supplies for cash, but cash 
purchases might use on dollars needed for civilian 
supply and reconstruction.                     
 
     I recommend that we accept the British proposal, 
but suggest dealing directly with the French. Our present 
policy toward France is based on the belief that it is in 
the best interests of the United States that France resume 
her traditional position as a principal power capable of
playing a part in the occupation of Germany and in maintain-
ing peace in Europe. The recruiting and equipping of 
French lend forces would be a natural corollary of 
this policy, and politically such a move could be 
portrayed as a further evidence of American friendship 
for France and a proof of our desire to see her as a 
strong nation. The furnishing of arms by the United 
States to France may provide this Government with a 
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