Evening star., 1940-06-24
President Confers
With Three Officials
On Refugee Problem
WeIIes, Admiral Sturk
And Gen. Marshall Take
Part in Discussion

President Roosevelt returned from
a week end of rest at his Hyde Park
On, " home today to consider prob
lens facing the United States as a
result of European war develop
ments. giving immediate attention
to the status of refugees clamoring
for admission to the United States.
The President was informed be-
fore leaving Hyde Park of the armi-
stice terms granted France by Ger
many, but there was no comment
from the White House on this
Governments attitude toward the
French capitulation.
Stephen T. Early, White House
secretary referred to the State De-
partment questions about whether
the United States would continue
to recognize the French government
headed by Marshal Petain or follow
the British lead in according recog-
milton to a French National Com
mittee set up In London.
No Immediate Decision.
It was il1dicated no immediate
decision would be made on the rec
ognition question, although it was
recalled that Mr.. Roosevelt asserted
in a message to former Premier
Reynaud of France on June Is that
this Government would not "con-
slider as valid any attempts to in
fringe by force the independence
and territorial integrity of France
Mr.. Early said the White House
had received numerous suggestions
since the fall Of France that the
United States take over French
merchant ships now in American
ports and even the French navy and
some of the French colonial pos
sessions as national defense meas
ure. He added, however, he had
heard no discussion indicating that
such action was planned. He said
the suggestions had come in hun
dreds of kilograms from throughout
the country and had been referred
to the State Department.
Mr.. Roosevelt arranged to discuss
the war refugee problem with I'm
dersecretary of State Sumner
Welles and Admiral Harold r.
Stark, chief of naval operations, and
Gen. George c. Marshall, Army
chief of staff, in conference at the
White House at 1880 o'clock this
morning.
Deal With Entire Problem.
Mr.. Early said he understood the
conference would deal with the en-
tire European refugee problem, In
cluding possible measures to evacu-
ate hundreds of Americans reported
stranded in Southern France, as we'll
as consideration of suggestions that
British children and other alien
refugees be admitted to this country
in large numbers.
Admiral Stark was brought into
the conference, it was said, because
measures may involve cooperation
If the Navy. Gen. Marshall was said
to be included in the conference
principally so that he would be kept
fully informed.
Mr.. Early also disclosed that w.
Averell Hartman, chairman of the
board of the Union Pacific Railroad
Co., had been working for the past
week with Edward r. Stettinius, jr.,
in his National Defense Advisory
Commission task of co-ordinating
raw material supplies for the ma
tional Defense program. Mr.. Har-
riman, who has conferred frequent-
ly with Mr.. Roosevelt during the
last few weeks, probably will be CIV
en- an ohicial position on the De-
fense Commission, Mr.. Early added.
Talks With La Guardia.
Mr.. Roosevelt discussed the legis-
lative situation with Senate Majority
Leader Barkley soon after mis- re-
turn to Washington.
He conferred at II o'clock with
Mayor La Guardia of New York,
(see ROOSEVELT, Page A-6.5
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