Evening star., 1941-05-17
BY GARNETT ID. HORNER.

y
today that known facts and circum-
stances concerning Franco-German
relations entirely support President
RooSevelt's statement of Thursday
night which was described by an
official French communique as "as-
toniShtng" because it implied that
the French government was ready
to turn its colonies over to Ger
many.
Refusing to discuss in detail what
he termed the rhetorical utteranceS
of the Vichy government, the Sec
retary said the true situation was
expressed by the President in his
statement deploring any Franco
German alliance which would ap-
parently deliver up France and its
colonial empire
Meanwhile, it was learned that
plans are ready for immediate ac-
ton to take over French colonies in
this hemisphere under an inter-
American provisional administra-
ton as a protective measure if the
forecast of closer collaboration
should appear to give the Nazls
control of the colonies.
Exact Details Unknown.
Mr.. Hull said the exact details of
any new agreement between France
and Germany were not known here
but that enough of the facts and
circumstances have become known
to this Government TO support en-
tirely the Presidents declaration.
His comment came at press con-
ference in response to questions
concerning the French communique
issued last night, which expressed
the Vichy governments surprise at
the Roosevelt declaration accord
ing to which he interprets Marshal
Petain's radio speech as turning
over the French colonies to Ger
many"
The communiQue also disclaimed
any French intention of attacking
England or the United States.
French Urged to Hold Out.
In an appeal to the French people
to hold OUT for the principles of
liberty, Mr. Roosevelt summed up
this Governments reaction to the
negotiations for closer "collabora-
ton" between France and Germany
by declaring in his Thursday night
statement that:
THE people of the United States
can hardly believe that the present
governaent of France could be
brought to lend itself to plan of
voluntary alliance implied or other
wise which would apparently de-
liver up France and its colonial en-
pire, including French African col
onieS and their Atlantic coasts. with
the menace which that involves
to the peace and safety of the West
ern Hemisphere.
Z. S. Forces Ready to Act.
There is no intention of putting
plans for taking over the French
colonies into effect, it was empha-
sized, however, pending clarifica-
ton of the new degree of the Vichy
governments cooperation with the
Nazis new order"
The United States and other
American nations. are fully aware
of the dangerous potentialities of a
Nazi foothold on this side of the At
lantic. authoritative sources pointed
out, and are ready to act whenever
necessary 10 protect the peace and
security of this hemisphere.
1t was understood that if any evi-
dence developed of Germany gain
ing even indirect control over the
French possessions in the Americas.
United States armed forces would
move into the affected areas i'm
mediately and take possession on
behalf of all the American Republics.
No Further Talks Required.
Such emergency action by any one
of the American nations, to be fol-
lowed by establishment of a pro
visional administration" under di-
rection of an inter-American COM
mittee, was authorized at the con-
ference of American foreign minis
ters in Havana last summer and may
be taken without further consulta-
ton whenever considered necessary
ito safeguard the peace of the con-
tinent"
The French possessions which
might be taken under the protection
of the American nations in case Of
emergency are:
Martinique (area, 3S5 square
miles; population, 260OO0) in the
fringe of islands which shield the