Your telegram No. 20, 21st January, 1943. [1] Representation of
Vichy interests in Australia.

1. As regards possibility that Swiss would refuse to look after
Vichy interests in Australia on informal basis as proposed in last
paragraph of my telegram No. 9 of 14th January [2], position here
is: (A) so far as we are aware Swiss Government have not demurred
to intimation from United States Government that representation by
Swiss Government of Vichy interest in United States is on an
informal basis only.

(B) Swiss Government have accepted Italian Government's intimation
that latter only recognise Swiss representation of British
interests in Greece and part of Yugoslavia on de facto basis.

In these circumstances it appears to us unlikely that Swiss
Government would object to undertaking representation of Vichy
interests in Australia on an informal basis. Such an informal
arrangement would not preclude handing over of archives of Vichy
French Consulate General to Swiss representatives, or their actual
assumption of representation of Vichy interests in Australia.

Arrangement could be purely provisional so that it could be
revoked at will by Commonwealth Government.

2. We attach great importance to maintenance of common Allied
front where Vichy interests are concerned in view of difficulties
and complications which may arise when the time comes to recognise
a new French Government.

3. We have, therefore, deferred reply to Swiss Government as in
last paragraph of your telegram under reference, in the hope that
Commonwealth Government on reconsideration of the matter, in the
light of the above considerations, will be willing to adopt policy
similar to that of United Kingdom and United States Governments,
that is, that Swiss Government is to act only on an informal
basis. Effect of this would be that their protection would extend
only to such French Nationals and Institutions in Australia as
wish to avail themselves of it, and would be without prejudice to
the activities of the Fighting French representative.

Please telegram Commonwealth Government decision. [3]

4. Swiss Government have now been asked by Vichy Government to
safeguard French interests in New Zealand also. Separate telegram
as to this is being sent to New Zealand Government with suggestion
that they should consider adoption of policy as in paragraph 3,
above.