Evening star., 1940-12-02
Roosevelt Off
On Caribbean
Defense Tour
Point of Emburkotion
And Course of Cruise
Kept Secret
Ry John C.. HENRY.

President Roosevelt left Washing
ton today for a vacation and defense
inspection cruise in Southern waters.
The exact course of the journey
and even of the point of embarka-
ton were still secret as the Chief
Executive left by train shortly be-
fore noon. 1t was admitted unofh-
cially, however. that Mr. Roosevelt
would go aboard a Navy ship at
some Southern port and probably
would spend good part of his cruis-
ing time inspecting West Indies sites
of new American naval bases.
Maneuvers of the Atlantic fleet
squadron also are scheduled in that
area within the next 10 days, and
it is believed Mr.. Roosevelt may
view some of these.
Confers With Leahy.
Before leaving the White House,
the President conferred for more
than an hour with Admiral William
D. Leahy, recently appointed Am
basSador to the French government
at Vichy.
On emerging from the meeting.
Admiral Leahy said he had received
no special instructions other than a
broad recital by the President OF his
attitude on the world situation and
the position of the French govern
ment in particular. He said he would
leave for France as soon as the State
Department wished him to and that
ne expected to see departmental
ofncials on the matter this afternoon.
Admiral Leahy said he had heard
OF the reports that he was to be
sent to London instead as a sue
cessor to Joseph P. Kennedy. whose
resignation as Ambassador to Great
Britain was announced last night,
The admiral added, however. that he
knew of no change in plans for him
and that the transfer had not been
mentioned by Mr.. Roosevelt at their
meeting today.
Leahy to See Officials.
Relinquishing the post of Cover
nor of Puerto Rico to take the
| diplomatic appointment, Admiral
Leahy said he planned to talk to
officials OF the Interior Department,
the Budget Bureau and the Work
Projects Administration on Puerto
Rican affairs before he leaves WASH
lngton. He is attempting to in
crease estimated financial allot-
ments for several island programs.
he said. He arrived in Washington
today from Puerto Rico.
With a considerable accumula-
ton of paper work" still before
him, the President took two secre-
tarial aides southwark with him on
the train. No temporary White
House headquarters were To be set
up at the Southern terminus of the
trip, however, Stephen T. Early,
secretary to the President, explain
ing that the Chief Executive will
work directly with Washington by
radio.
Those making the sea i1ip with
Mr.. Roosevelt will be Capt. Daniel
j. Callaghan, naval aide: Nal. Gen.
Edwin M. Watson, military aide and
secretary; Admiral Ross r. McIn-
tire, physician to the President. and
former Secretary of Commerce
Hopkins
No date for the Presidents return
has been definitely set, but it was
said he would be back here by De-
cember II for the reception to the
Judiciary, opening event of the
White House social season. He had
informed the Gridiron Club, how
ever, that he does not expect to be
back in Washington in time to at
tend their dinner on Saturday, De-
cember IA. He wrote with much
regret" that he would "in all prob
ability be away until the week after
| the dinner"
In event Of emergency, President
Roosevelt told his press conference
last Friday that he would 60 back
| to Washington bv airplane