Evening star., 1941-08-13
American Relations
With Vichy Shaken
By Petdin Program
Attitude Hinges on Action
Admiral DurIon Takes in
Collaboration With Axis
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS,

Associated Press Stan Writer.
The United States and France
traditional friends since the Ameri-
can ReVolutlOn-reached a critical
pass in their relations today, as
fears were freely expressed in Off
cial quarters that VichyS new pro-
gram of collaboration with Ger
many held threats to American in
tereStS and territories.
Secretary of State Hull still with
held formal comment on the new
policy set forth by Marshal Petain'
chief of the French state. in a radio
address yesterday pledging adher-
ence to the Nazi new order.
The Secretary intimated, how
ever that grave concern was IN
spired here by the elevation of Ad-
miral Darlan. pro-AXiS vice premier,
to supreme command of France S
armed forces.
Mr.. Hull has never made any
secret of his opinion of Admiral
Darlan. Long ago he accused him
of being partner to a collaboration
scheme" whose object was to de
liver France politically, economl-
cally, socially and militarily TO HIT
Ter" and make France a co-belllger-
ent in "Hitlers desperate effort to
conquer Great Britain and secure
control of the high seas"
What of French Fleet.
While State Department officials
sought TO appraise the full impllca-
tions of a closer Franco-German
working arrangement, 1t was gen.
erally believed that United States
policy would be guided by the way
the new collaboration manifested
itself.
- Vital questions of the moment
were whether the French fleet would
cooperate with German aims,
whether French help would be
sought against Britain and whether
Nazi penetration of French colonies
might be eXpected-elther IN Africa
or the Western Hemisphere.
Another unknown factor OF con-
siderable importance was the reac-
ton of Gen. Maxine Weygand, pro-
consul for North Africa, to the new
collaboration. The general several
times has publicly declared he would
defend the independence and IN
tegrity of the French colonies
against any aggreSSor.
L. S. Has Aided Weygand.
The United States has co-operated
with Gen. Weygand by sending sup
niles to the French North African
colonies, cut off from sthelr normal
supply sources by the war. More
over Gen. Weygand and Admiral
Darlan have not always seen eye 10
eye.
If the State Department was re-
ticent about yesterdays develop
ments. Senators and Representatives
were outspoken with recommends
tions for vigorous counteractlon:
They urged that the United
States. with the other American
republics. assume the protection OF
Martinique and other French COL
onies in this hemisphere just as
soon as it was evident that they
might be used as stepping stones
for Nazi infiltration.
They also advocated breaking on
diplomatic relations with Vlchy ana
according recognition to the Free
France" Committee of Gen. Charles
de Gaulle.
Envoy Deprecates Fears.
nocpite the widespread concern
manifested here. CASTOR Henry
Have. the French Ambassador. de-
precated fears of any new threat
to American security.
There is nothing in Marshal Pc
tain's speech from the first line to
the last line" the Ambassador de-
clared, which justifies any assump-
ton that France will turn the
French fleet or French colonies over
to Germany.
when I first came to the United
States I was accused of representing
a government that has given the
fleet and colonies to Germany
Eleven months have passed and we
have not done so, and there is MOTH
ing in my chiefs speech which
changes the situation
Advocates Action.
Members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, both support
ers and critics of the Roosevelt ad-
ministration' foreign policies, Joined
In advocating action by the United
States if it became apparent that
collaboration meant extension OF
German influence to Frances New
World possessions.
Chairman Connally and Senators
George. Democrat, OF Georgia ana
Pepper Democrat, of Florida pre-
dicted speedy occupation OF these
colonies in such an event.
Senators Nye, Republican, OF
North Dakota, Clark, Democrat, OF
Missouri and Gillette, Democrat, OF
Iowa who have frequently opposed
the Roosevelt Hull foreign policies,
said they thought such measures
might be necessary.
Senator Nye expressed the opinion
that this country must act in keeping
with the Monroe Doctrine and pre-
vent any Nazi advance into this part
of the world.
Injured Mother earns