Evening star., 1941-12-28
Free French Forbid
Warships in Waters
Around ST. Pierre
Progress Indicated Here
In Diplomatic Efforts
To Restore Vichy Rule
By GARNETT ID. HORNER.

st. Pierre and Miquelon barred all
warships of ANY nationality" from
their territorial waters without
special permission, as progress vas
indicated here yesterday III dlplo-
matte efforts to restore Vichy French
sovereignty over the tiny islands on
Newfoundland.
CASTOR Henry-Haye, Ambassador
here of the Vichy government, pre-
dicted after an hours conference
with Secretary of State Hull that
a friendly arrangement would be
spoFlsed out for withdrawal of the
Frea Ffench forces and establish
s11e1re of safeguards against any
possible danger from the islands to
the interests of the United States
and Allied nations fighting the
Axis.
Actions and expressions Of the
Free French leaders yesterday ap-
peared, however, to further compli-
cate the confused situation that
arose from their sudden Christmas
eve seizure of St. Pierre and
Miaueion, which was branded by
the State Department here as
~arbitary" and contrary to the
agreement of all the parties con-
cerned."
Proclamation by Muselier.
Vice Admiral Emile Muselier
issued a proclamation at st. Pierre,
the Associated Press reported, de-
claring:
Access to the territorial waters of
st. Pierre ct Miouelon is prohibited
TO all warships of any nationality
except under special permission
previously asked for and granted.
Flying over these islands without
previous permission is also prohibit
ed to all airplanes. All lighthouses
may be extinguished as from to-
night"
Radio, telegraph and telephone
communications were taken over by
the Free French naval authorities.
The Free French information SER
vice said Vice-Admiral MuSelier
would not retreat and that the
people refuse to believe that anyone
could destroy their regained liberty
In London, a statement from the
headquarters of Gen. Charles de
Gaulle. Free French leader, charged
that state Of dictatorship existed
on the Vichy-governed islands
before Wednesdays coup. and as
serted it was well known that
Vichy's governor there was under
German influence.
L. S. Leads Restoration Move.
Meanwhile. the United States was
taking the lead in move TO restore
ST. Pierre and Miquelon to Vichy
sovereignty. This Government
position is in line with an agree
ment. renewed only last week with
Vichy representatives exercising
jurisdiction over all French posses
sions in this hemisphere. for main
tenance of their neutral status quo.
Under this agreement it was I'M
derstood. the United States had
pledged its word against disturb /
ance of the Vichy Governments .
sovereignty over its New World pos /
sessions-including strategic Martl-
nique in the Caribbean as we'll as /
St. Pierre and Miquelon-as long |
as they remained free of activities /
benefitting Germany.
The sudden Free French occupa- |
ton of the North Atlantic fishing
islands upset delicate further nego-
tiations for a friendly arrange
ment under which experts repre-
senting the United States, Canada
and Britain would keep a constant
check on messages going out from
radio station at st. Pierre.
Current negotiations, it was in
6icated. are aimed at 'face-sa
ing" solution for all concerned that
would couple some such arrange
ment concerning the radio station
with withdrawal of the Free French
occupation forces.
Hull Confers With King.
Secretary Hull conferred on the
problem again yesterday with Prime
Minister w L. Mackenzie King of
Canada Immediately before his con-
ference with Ambassador Henry
Haye.
The Ambassador said as he left
MI Hull's office that he was going
to communicate urgently with his
government, recommending settle
ment that would satisfy all the
nations of this hemisphere"
Provided French sovereignty over
the islands is re-established, he said
he felt sure Vichy would agree to
proper steps that would leave no
room for anyone to fear danger
from the radio station at Pierre.
Mr.. Henry Have insisted that this
radio station, which Free French
spokesmen have charged was send
ing out weather information OF
value to German raiders in the
Atlantic had been used only to
maintain contact with the fishing
fleet operating from the islands.
Secretary Hull withheld any COM
ment on the situation at press
conference, except to say that 1t was
under discussion among the inter-
ested governments.