The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-02-05

RICH But HUNGRY
Martinique. the French sland
colony IN the Lesser Antilles group
OF the West indies is reported short
on food, clothing and other neces-
sites because French credits in
the United States are frozen. yet
1t is sitting on a mountain Of gold
-S945,252,344 worth.
That gold represents large slice
OF the Bank of France gold re.
serves. The French government,
anxious to keep il out Of German
hands during the military collaps ?.
sent the gold FIRST to Canada, and
then TO Martinique. 1t is locked
away in the Fort de Saix at FoIt-de.
France Martinique, guarded by al.
the available power the French
have been able to muster.
70 the United States this Is
source OF danger. because any OF
the present belligerents might re.
gard IT as more valuable than a
military victory
The gold had a wild odessey be-
fore coming to rest in Mart niqus.
II was loaded aboard the fast cruis-
er Emile Berth al Brest on June
L as the French armies cracked
on the Somme. Commander Robert
Batet was ordered to dash to Hall.
fax and turn it over 10 French and
Canadian authorities there. He
arrived June IS. As he entered the
port he received secret code in
structions advising him that Mar
shal Henri Philippe Peta n had al
ready begun negotiations for an
arm stice with the German army.
He was ordered to Martinique be-
fore the armistice was signed.
Canad an authorities came aboard
TO tell Batet that a special train.
guarded by troops was waiting on
the dock TO take the gold TO Mon.
treal. Batet stalled for nearly two
days. Finally he is reported to
have threatened to shoot his way
out Of the harbor. He got away FIVE
days before the armistice was sign
ed. Ending British warships which
followed him that night, the Berth
locked in Fort-de-France on June
p. On June "a the armistice was
signed-but the gold was stored
away under Fort de Saix's guns.
The Berlin brought $4,000 sacks
OF gold coins and bullion, eacn
weighing so kilos. All were marx
ed with the stamp of the lie Puy
branch of the Bank OF France.
where Frances gold reserve had
been stored at the outbreak Of war.
That gold Is almost as important
10 France as the French fleet and
the French colonies. II Il had fall
en- into British hands in Halifax it
might have gone into war pur-
chases without further accounting
TO France II II were shipped
piecemeal on freighters to North
Africa either the British blockade
patrol or German raiders might
seize the ships. Reports went out
that the Cuba. carrying 1900 de.
mobi lied soldiers and sailors %
Casablanca also carried part OF
the gold. The British seized the
ship and brought 1t to Freetown.
Sierra Leone.
The French in Martinique insist.
ed that Germany had no Hen on
thls gold, even under the original
armistice terms. The gold would
still permit France TO fight aga n.
II she had to, without becoming an
auxiliary force OF any other power.
sort OF French foreign legion at
Inc service Of another nation.
The gold has been one Of the es-
sential factors in Marshal Peta MS
recent resistance TO excessive Ger.
man demands, but the same time
the United States has cause to fear
that 1t might be shipped to South
America for the purchase OF war
materials or for propaganda Dur.
poses, or back to Europe 10 aid
Germany In her fight.
When the American delegation
led by Admiral John w Greenslade
visited Martinique on Nov. to
discuss all Martinique problems.
Greenslade was taken to Fort de
Saix and shown the gold. Since
tnen American representa- -es
have been allowed to make periodic
checks 10 be sure the Fre.c.
living up to their word not to send
II away, The American naval pa.
troll keeps It's eye open for anyone
trying TO get II.
The gold IS likely to STAY in
Martinique till some final settle
ment Is made with France-per.
haps until the end Of the war. It's
presence. however, accounts for
reinforced measures OF defense
taken on the island In recent
weeks.