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207523035
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Anonymous Memorandum Regarding France
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207523035
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document
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Anonymous Memorandum Regarding France
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President's Secretary's Files (Truman Administration)
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207523035
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1946-01-01
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1946
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The following seem to me to be paramount points in French political thinking
as they touch upon American interests.
1) They are very anxious to have cordial relations with the United States
and genuinely seem to want to do everything possible to remove points Oi friction.
They thoroughly realize that France as a world power is greatly reduced: they are
perfectly willing to recognize facts and, I think, only want some sort of a formula
to regularize the situation,sa their pride, and which they can help to work out.
I think too this is the fundamental attitude of all these points.
2) They regard Russia and the United States as the two poles of world power,
with Great Britain in substantially the same position as France. They infinitely
prefer the United States to Russia, of whom I think they are very much afraid, but
they hope to be in a sort of bridge position between the Russian East and the American
West. They certainly do not want to throw in their lot with Russia if it can be
avoided, and greatly fear the Russian advance in Central Europe. And, above all, they
are afraid France will be the battlefield between the Russians and Anglo- Americans
in the next War=-hence want to be a pacific influence in so far as they can.
3) Food and coal for the coming winter was the constant theme of conversations
until the Presidents announcement after Potsdam. I hear it much less now, and there is
a real atmosphere of almost veneration tewards the President for the announcement.
4) I have heard very little concerning specific German reparations,nor hymns of
hate for the Germans. The general tendence, stronger with some than with others, but
usually strongest in the most intelligent, is to talk, rather pessimistically, of a
free French and German, perhaps even Pan- European collaboration for reconstruction
and the post way world.
5) Colonies. This is pretty vague, and seems to differ very much as to the part
of French possessions under discussion. In general, however, it seems to be a French
adaptation of the Dominion idea, of geographical units grouped in a common allegiance,
with indigenous control. I admit, however, it would take a. great deal more study than
I have given it to get a truly accurate picture, but I think the French have the
general principle of wanting to associate native peoples in their own rule.
6) They want to be liked, and above all, to be understood. I realize they must
hope to gain a great deal of material aid from us, but these men all seem most sincere
in wanting France and the United States to like each other. In their own way, they
are very proud of the old ties between France and America and want to maintain them for
the future. 4th of July equals Bastille Day, and our Constitution, their Liberty , Equality
and Fraternity. This is rather a crude analogy, but Ithink is roughly accurate.
respect(battly)
7) They like Mr. Truman , trust him and above all think he is homest.
SERVICE