Code telegram from Seán Murphy to the Department of External Affairs (Dublin)
(No. 218) (Personal) (Copy)

Severe food restrictions which come into force at noon today received by public with resignation. Severity is attributed to requisitioning on large scale by German Authorities and to fact that free zone is poorest in food. The continuance of two zones causing considerable unemployment and lack of all communication great discontent and difficulty for French Government as the population of the occupied territory regards itself as abandoned by the French Government. The Government is very discouraged by the result of effort and possibility of resignation in the fairly near future cannot be excluded. It is alleged German Authorities are fostering discontent against French Government. General impression is that French Government is being hampered and is unable to cope with existing situation. Public opinion and sections of official opinion have become recently at least anti-German. My telegram 200¹ based on general rumour of co-operation involving occupation by Germans of all frontiers.