ABSTRACT
In the absence of a positive, authorized policy our diplomacy, when the war began, labored under heavy handicaps. That conviction at any rate seemed to spread with Weygand's arrival in North Africa, and it served to encourage those who thought economic aid was politically and strategically worth while. Weygand would oppose die Germans, and they were somewhat doubtful about strengthening North Africa, where they feared the French might turn against Britain. In April it had been expected by some officials in Washington that Weygand, having apparently become more friendly towards the Americans and the British, would fight the Germans if they crossed into French North Africa, for he had requested munitions from the United States. Oil from Germany and Italy for Rommel was sent in French ships to North Africa, whence it moved eastward to the German army in Libya.
