Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Martinique Accord

Martinique Accord
The understanding arrived at be-
tween the American Rear Admiral
Frederick J. Horne and Admiral
Georges Robert, French high COM
missioner at Martinique, is important
not only for its local significance but
even more for its wider implications.
The accord, reached after con-
fidential negotiations, covers not
merely Martinique but also the
neighboring island Of Guadeloupe
and Cayenne or French Guiana on
the mainland of South America. In
essence, it is a "Standstill agreement"
by which the neutrality of Frances
possessions in the New World is to be
maintained, regardless of what the
home government at Vichy may
grant the Axis powers in other parts
Of the French colonial empire. In
return for this pledge by the local
colonial authorities, the United
States will refrain from any infringe
ment on French sovereignty in its
New World colonies and will permit
something like normal economic
relations. None of these tropical
colonies is self-feeding, and America
has been the only source for staple
foodstuffs, medicines and other vital
supplies since their economic ties
with the homeland were broken by
the French collapse a year and
half ago. Under an arrangement
made shortly after that catastrophe,
these isolated French possessions
have been rationed by weekly supply
ships from the United States, sbut
this hand-to-mouth arrangement
could be cut off at any moment and
would plunge the French islands into
great misery. Economic pressure has
thus been the trump card which
Washington has been able to play in
preference to an exercise of armed
force that might have entailed blood
shed and aroused needless bitterness
in the colonies and in France itself.
On its face, the agreement has been
concluded by Admiral Robert on his
own initiative. Vichy thus far has
disclaimed any hand in the matter.
Technically, that is probably true.
Berlin presumably would look with a
jaundiced eye upon negotiations so
favorable to American interests con-
Guided just after America had be-
come the open enemy Of the Axis.
Yet it may be doubted that Vichy is
really displeased at an arrangement
which saves its New World colonies
from armed occupation and prevents
a further humiliation to French SOW
ereignty. None of those colonies is
able to make more than a token re-
sistance to anything Washington
might decide to do.
A secretly complacent attitude In
Vichy becomes all the more probable
from the course of recent events In
world affairs. Americas full-aedged
entry into the war against the Axis
unquestionably has made profound
impression upon all Frenchmen. It
has been favorite thesis of the men
of Vichy" that the United States
would not come into the war or would
do so halfheartedly Today they
1ottor thew roo1i1o tho
tremendous implications Of Amer
ica's "all-out" belligerency. Further
more, this comedies with the failure
of Germany's campaign in Russia
and the imperiling Of Axis armies in
North Africa These momentous
changes, in French eyes, should more
than offset the new war in the Pa
cific and early japanese successes in
the Far East.
Evidence continues to accumulate
that the Vichy regime continues to
resist German demands for full
fedged collaboration" Washington
has maintained diplomatic relations
despite the most discouraging cir
cumstances. Only few days ago.
Secretary Hull expressed confidence
in the French people" coupled with
the hope that Frances national life
ultimately would be restored. In
directly, at least, the Martinique &C
cord strikes a favorable note by
allaying the most pressing conting-
ency in Franco-American relations.