Evening star., 1948-02-18

l. Mr.. Hull's statement "Bullitt had COM
mupicated directly with the President on
many occasions by telephone and cable. He
also employed private code he had worked
out solely with the President"
This is true. President Roosevelt frequently
telephoned to me at the Embassy in Paris.
and frequently telephoned to him. Moreover,
we used personal codes inside Government
codes. And in matters of utmost secrecy we
employed Navy codes. But I should regret
to have the impression prevail that this was
due to desire to conceal anything from the
Secretary of State, Mr.. Hull, for whom have
always had high respect. It was due to lack of
security in the Department of State.
The codes of the department were 50 anti
quated that, in the opinion of the President,
they had been broken by all the totalitarian
powers. Furthermore, leakages from the de-
partment included publication of strictly con-
fdential kilograms almost without alteration
of word. This matter was brought to the
attention of the Secretary of State; but he was
unable to stop the leakages. It was not in
disrespect to Mr. Hull, who is one of the most
discreet of men, but in the interest of security
that communications between President Roose-
velt and myself frequently passed by other
channels than those of the Department of
State.
In my opinion, it is, therefore, not fair to
President Roosevelt to write; Liking the dra-
matte side of foreign affairs, Mr.. Roosevelt
did not discourage this practice" From his
experience as Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
President Roosevelt had learned to pay close
attention to security of communications.
2. should also regret to have the impress
sion prevail that any disrespect to Mr.. Hull
was involved in my remaining in Paris in
June, 1910 More than two years before,
had said to President Roosevelt that I felt
sure Hitler would attack France during the
period of my service as Ambassador in Paris,
and that the Nazs might capture the French
capital. I reminded the President that the
best tradition of our diplomatic service was
that, although other ambassadors left Paris.
the American Ambassador did not run away
in time of danger Gouverneur Morris alone
had remained in Paris throughout the revo-
luton and the terror and had saved thou
sands of lives; Elihu Washpurne alone had
remained throughout the siege of Paris and
the commune and had saved hundreds OF lives;
Myron Herrick had remained after the gov
ernment fled in 1914. In consequence, the
American Embassy in Paris had a standing
with the French far superior to that of any
other power We were regarded as friends
III QlSdSJST d6 well dS Ill 1ldpPy
Planned to Stay in Paris.
told the President that, if the occasion
should arise would consider it in our national
interest for me to follow the same course. He
agreed then asked him. If the event should
confirm my forebodings, to make sure that
I would not receive panic, last-mlnute oroer
to leave Paris. He agreed to do SO. So far
as my mind was concerned, this conversation
settled the course should pursue.
In consequence when the British Ambassa-
dor, on May 16, 1910, asked me to take charge
of the interests of Great Britain in Paris, and
I telegraphed Secretary Hull asking for his
approval of the request, informed him that
1 was sending all wives and children OF men,
bers of the Embassy to Bordeaux and con-
cluded: IT shall of course remain in Paris"
Secretary Hull approved by telegram.
On May %, 194O telegraphed Secretary Hull
that the French government was making prep
arations to move to Bordeaux, and suggested
that Ambassador Anthony ]. Drexel Biddle,
who was American Ambassador to the Polish
government in exile, resident in France, should
be appointed special representative pro tenn OF
the President to the French government and
should accompany the French government
wherever it might go, while I remained In
Paris.
On May 27, 1910, received in reply, a tele-
gram signed by Secretary Hull saying:
"The President is happy to approve your
suggestion that if the French government
should leave Paris, it might be advisable to
have at it's temporary residence h1gh-ranklng
official, and that Ambassador Biddle should
take over this duty. We believe, however, that
he should act as your deputy or assistant IN
accordance with the 1914 precedent when Gar
S1 nd M
representative of the President. The depart
ment will approve assumption by Bdde of
these duties in addition to his normal duties
as Ambassador to the Polish government. Such
secretaries as you might send from Paris would
work under Biddle. You may communicate
this Informally to the French government.
When the contingency we foresee arises, def
mite orders will be sent to Biddle. Hull"
In accordance with this telegram, informed
the French government that definitely would
remain in Paris. This information was re-
ceived with profound gratitude. The French
government asked me to take various steps to
protect French lives and property, which I
agreed to do. Nearly all the ambassadors and
ministers in Paris of the countries at war with
Hitler asked me to take over protection OF
their nationals and their properties, which /
agreed to do, and hundreds OF their nationals
f1ocked to the Embassy daily Tor aoVlce ano
assistance.
City in Panic.
I received no intimation of any kind that
either President Roosevelt or Secretary Hull
might desire to upset the arrangements set
forth in the Secretarys telegram of May o.
to me
Sunday night, June 9, after most of the
government had left Paris and the city was IN
panic, produced in part by the approach OF
the German Army, in part by the Communists,
whose clandestine radio was calling for revolt
and the murder of the "bourgeoisie" and OF
all those who wished to continue the war
against the Nazis, including myself, President
Roosevelt called me on the telephone.
Bill" he said, you'll be killed If you stay
in Paris, and don't want you killed. I want
you back here. If the Communists don't get
you before the Nazis come in, the Nazis will