598 FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1942, VOLUME II
123 Tlmberlake, Clare H./284 Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Aclen (Timberlalce)

WASHINGTON, December 9, 1942—2 p. m.
 40. Department's telegram December 8 [4], 10 p. m. You are to interpret
the instructions sent you as being solely in order that the Department may
receive your views and recommendations on the subject mentioned. The Department
does not desire you to have any conversations about suggested cooperation
with French authorities or any British officials who may at present be in
Djibouti. You should return to Aden at the earliest moment possible after
obtaining the information necessary upon which to base your recommendations.
Huu~

123 Timberlake, Clare H./282: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Aden (Timberlalce)

WASHINGTON, December 9, 1942—7 p. m.
 41. British Embassy informs us that British authorities highly appreciate
your assistance at Djibouti. You are authorized to maintain contact with
the British authorities but to enter into no negotiations or commitments
with the French authorities. You should return to Aden and report results
of your trip and your recommendations as soon as you find it advisable to
do so.
HULL

851V.O1/1 : Telegram

The Consul at Aden (Timberlake) to the Secretary of State

ADEN, December 9, 1942—10 p. m.
[Received December 10—8:24 a. m.]
 47. My 46, December 6.~' Entered French Somaliland 6 p. m..
6th; returned Aden p. m. today.
 Briefly situation excellent for opening negotiations, majority French favor
active support so long as "French" sovereignty retained, all acknowledge
Vichy no longer speaks for France but French reverence for person of Pétain
52 must be respected, first approach should be American or Anglo-American,
and not include Darlanists or, especially, de Gaullists. Either might be
worked in later. Threat of attack now would preclude negotiations and French
would fight.

51 Not printed.
52Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, French Chief of State.