THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
CLE
195
SECRE T.
C.O.S. (40) 476.
19TH JUNE, 1940.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
COPY NO.
POLICY IN RESPECT OF THE FRENCH COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
Note by the Secretary.
On the 19th June a meeting, at which representatives of the Service Departments and various other Departments concerned were present, was held to co-ordinate action in respect of the French Colonial possessions. A large number of telegrams had been received from our representatives in these territories and several points of importance were agreed.
2. The meeting were of the opinion that one point of policy should be brought to the notice of the Chiefs of Staff, They felt that if we are to ensure the co-operation of the French Colonies we must have ready, for immediate publication in the event of a capitulation of the French Government, a declaration to the effect that His Majesty's Government is prepared to guarantee financially the French Civil and Military Services in French possessions which continue to fight on our side, and to do their best to secure the economic stability of those territories.
3.
The representatives of the Departments at this meeting hoped that the Chiefs of Staff would see fit to put this matter before the War Cabinet as a matter of urgency.
The attention of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been drawn to this point.
4.
Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.
(Signed) L. C. HOLLIS.
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