Mr R. G. Casey, Minister to the United States

Cablegram 430 27 March 1941

For your information Tremoulet, ex-French Consul General, left
Australia on 7th March for United States and Censorship discloses
that French Ambassador at Washington [1] is being instructed to
lodge a formal protest with you regarding certain events. [2] On
Saturday, 22nd February, Tremoulet was arrested and taken to
internment camp. Following Monday protest lodged with Minister for
External Affairs [3] who obtained Tremoulet's release same day.

Consul in Melbourne [4] protested that action of Commonwealth
authorities in arresting Tremoulet was violation of principle of
diplomatic and consular immunity and asked for apologies and
reparation pointing out that his Government could not fail to take
strong view of case, which was an offence to France and would lead
to unfavourable influence on future relations between France and
Australia. We replied that following on withdrawal of Tremoulet's
Exequatur latter could not be regarded as having any official
status in relation to Commonwealth Government. Secondly we pointed
out that his representation was not diplomatic but consular and
concessions and privileges granted to Consuls are on basis of
reciprocity and not founded on well established principles which
apply in diplomatic sphere. As regards actual facts of case, we
stated that action was fully justified in the broad national
interest irrespective of other grounds. Continued presence of
Tremoulet was causing embarrassment and resulting in dissension in
community at a time when unity was necessary. Grave doubts having
arisen as to whether Tremoulet intended to leave Australia, it was
decided he should be detained and upon satisfactory assurances
being received that he would leave by next boat Commonwealth
ordered Ws release.

For your own confidential information action taken against
Tremoulet was taken by Military authorities without reference to
or knowledge of this Department and precise reasons are still
unknown to us.

Further protest was received from French Consul that when
Tremoulet left he was followed up the gangway by member of
Military Police and civil policemen both in uniform. Reply has not
yet been sent to this protest which has been referred to Military
authorities for their advice.