Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-24
|eahy Will Serve
h Dual Capacity
)n Vichy Assignment
Will Be Diplomat
And Military Adviser
To President
y the Associated Press.

y the Associated Press.
A dual role of diplomat and pollt-
|al and military adviser to Presi-
ent Roosevelt on the course OF
vents in Europe and Africa ap-
Jared last night to be in store for
dmiral William D. Leahy, retired,
the new Ambassador to France.
In Vichy, Admiral Leahy will be
he only United States envoy with
he rank of Ambassador in CONT
ental Western Europe or Africa.
he Government has ministers in
everal countries, but in those rating
Ambassador the American af-
hrs are now conducted by Charge
Affaires.
Although a defeated nation,
rance still has an empire covering
hst areas in Africa, as we'll as pos
kssions in the Far East and in the
Iestern Hemisphere. 1t also still
as a considerable part of the fleet
HIGH it had at the beginning of
be war.
The future of these possessions
nd of the feet is of vital concern
B the United States.
The appointment of Admiral
eahy thus was interpreted as
On of the importance which Presi-
ent Roosevelt still attaches to
rance as a factor in world affairs.
Is Foremost Naval Strategist.
Particular significance was seen in
be fact that Mr.. Roosevelt chose as
is envoy a man who is one of his
losest advisers and one of the
United States foremost naval stra-
egists.
Any new disposition of the French
eet is important to the United
tates because, if it were turned
Rver to Germany, it might become
|n actual or potential menace to
american security. Likewise, this
|ountry is concerned with the dis
osition, or use, of such French pos
|essions as Dakar, African port
fhich is nearer to South America
ban any United States port, and
he French Western Hemisphere
Stands.
Admiral Leahy conferred here
nth President Roosevelt recently
Ind from long service in the Navy
B well informed on United States
|olicy, both diplomatic and naval.
Likewise he has an intimate
knowledge of Frances Western
Hemisphere possessions. He is un-
(erstood to have had hand in the
Establishment of friendly contacts
|etween American authorities and
|he French colonial government in
Martinique, although Rear Admiral
fohn w. Greenslsde conducted the
|n-the-spot negotiations.
French Relations Improve.
As a result of these negotiations
arrangements have been made for
bod to go to Martinique and rela-
lions with France have improved
The Vichy post was proffered first
b Gen. John J. Pershing, who de-
|lined because his physicians feared
! would be too much of a strain for
Jim.
1t was understood that one of the
|easons for asking Gen. Pershing to
|srve at Vichy was the fact that
|e is an old friend of Marshal Pc
hin. AS such, he could have talked
Elth the French chief of state on
erms of intimacy not usually en-
Dyed by a diplomat.
Although lacking that intimacy
nth Petain. Admiral Leahy speaks
| nd understands the language of
Military realities forced on Petain
i Y Frances present situation. He
as old acquaintance, however, in
he French Navy. During the World
War, Admiral Leahy commanded
the cruisers Chattanooga and st.
louis. which were based at Cher
|ourg.
Among diplomatie-n observers there
|Eas conjecture that President
Roosevelt may held doubts all along
hat Gen. Pershing could accept but
|elt that Gen. Pershing should be
|fered the post as the outstanding
friend of France in the United
States.
A Sailor by Circumstance.
Thus. Admiral Leahy may have
|een under consideration from the
tart, especially in view of his ad-