Evening star., 1941-05-16

and Vichy governments over future
policy of the latter toward "the new
order" being charted for the world
by the Axis powers.
AS II in answer to q radio ad-
dress by Marshal Petain to the
French people, informing them that
the negotiations had lighted the
pathway to the future" and that
the nation should follow me with
out mental reservation" the White
House informed newsmen in early
evening that an important presi-
Dental statement on the French
situation was imminent.
When 1t came, after consultation
among the President, Secretary of
State Hull and Undersecretary
Welles, 1t was in effect counter
appeal to the French people them
selves to have no part of any policy
which would "in reality imply their
alliance with military power whose
central and fundamental policy
calls for the utter destruction Of
liberty, freedom and popular insti-
tutions everywhere"
Use of Bases Feared.
Whether Mr.. Roosevelt's interpre-
tation of French developments as
implying a formal Vichy- Berlin al
lance was based on direct informa-
ton from Ambassador Leahy was not
learned. Admiral Leahy has, how
ever, conferred with Vichy leaders
several times in recent days and the
White House acknowledged yester-
day that his reports have been be-
fore the President and Secretary
Hull.
1t has been generally known, OF
course, that the object of German
pressure on Vichy was to obtain
broader and more positive "collabo-
ration" from the French govern
ment-perhaps the use of strategic
French naval bases in the Atlantic
and the Mediterranean, and per-
haps the use of still-powerful sur
viving French fleet.
Development of this degree OF
French assistance to the Axis not
only would be an immediate blow to
Britain but would give rise to fears
of Axis occupation of Dakar, West
African port that is close to South
America, and perhaps even OF
French possessions in this hem
isphere.
Statement Is Broadcast.
These fears we're defined clearly
in Mr.. Roosevelt's statement last
night, and our earlier action in ex-
tending protection" to Danish
owned Greenland encourages belief
that similar steps might be taken
with regard to Martinique and
French Guiana. Furthermore, the
Havana declaration in substantial
ton of the Monroe Doctrine would
give sanction to such policy in the
face of American threats to
these territories.
Mr. Roosevelt's statement was
broadcast last night by short wave,
evidently with the hope 1t would be
heard in France and in French
colonial territories which might re-
sist efforts to hand them over to
the Axis.
The statement follows in full:
The policy of this Government
In Its relations with the French
republic has been based upon the
terms of the armistice between
Germany and France and upon rec
ognition of certain clear limitations
imposed upon the French govern
ment by this armistice.
Liberty Still Cherished.
Furthermore, we have had as
surances given by the head of the
French state on behalf of his gov
ernment that it did not intend to
agree to any collaboration with Ger
many, which went beyond the
requirements of that armistice
could be expected of a France, which
demanded respect for Its integrity.
THE people OF France, who
cherish still the ideals of liberty
and free institutions and guard that
love of these priceless possessions
in their minds and hearts. can be
counted on to hold out for these
principles until the moment comes
for their re-establishment.
"It is inconeeivable they will
willingly accept any agreement for
so-called collaboration which will
in reality imply their alliance with
a military power whose central and
fundamental policy calls for the
utter destruction of liberty, freedom
and popular institutions every
where.
THE people Of the United States