Within the next week, there is a message from Ambassador Sato in Russia telling Tokyo that Soviet relations with the U.S. are improving.13 And from Madrid, Minister Suma reports that the fall of Toulon to the Allies and the scuttling of the French fleet has made the French people antagonistic toward Germany. Premier Laval is even considering fighting against America and is quoted as saying: “Although France cannot bring herself to declare war on the U.S., if the enemy attacks us, we can defend ourselves and thus enter into a state of belligerency.”
