Evening star., 1941-12-27
Henry-HayeConf
Seized Isles Will Be
Returned 10 Vichy
Believes Guarantees Can
Be Given Against Misuse
Of St. Pierre Radio
By GARNETT ID. HORNER.

I1Cih -i1osc cAPicosCu SoiiiiOSiiSo'
after conferring with Secretary OF
State Hull today, that the North
Atlantic islands of st. Pierre and
Miquelon would be restored to con-
troll of the Vichy government, under
proper guarantees against any pos
sible misuse of the ST. Pierre radio
station.
The Ambassador said he was COM
municating urgently with Vichy. in
dicating that he was recommending
agreement on a proposal under in
tensive discussion here among
United States, British, Canadian
and French representatives.
1t was understood that this pro-
posal involved withdrawal of the
Free French forces which seized the
islands Christmas eve, coupled with
an arrangement under which Ameri-
can, British or Canadian communi-
cations experts would be given IA
cilities to make sure that no mes
sages giving information to the
enemy went out over the st. Pierre
| radio.
Hull Sees Mackenzie King.
Secretary Hull held a second con-
/ ference on the problem this morn
ing with Prime Minister w. l.. Mac
kenzie King of Canada. just before
the conference with the French Am
bassador, which lasted for more
than one hour
On emerging from Mr.. Hulls Office,
M. Henry-Haye told reporters he
had no reason to doubt that French
sovereignty would be restored over
St. Pierre and Miquelon. All the
conversations now under way here
are based on this principle, he en-
phasized.
The Ambassador went on to say
that provided the Free French forces
are withdrawn and his govern
ment's sovereignty over the islands
is restored, he felt sure Vichy would
be ready to take any steps necessary
to leave no shadow Of a doubt that
any danger could come from radio
messages out of st. Pierre.
Confident of Proper Guarantees.
He declined to discuss details Of
the arrangement under negotiation,
but said he was confident of a solu-
ton that would give the proper
guarantees to all nations concerned.
NJ. Henry-Haye said he did not
believe the radio station, which he
said was used principally for COM
municating with fishing boats
operating out of st. Pierre, could
possibly convey any information
dangerous to American Canadian
British interests. but that he was
ready to recommend any safeguards
considered necessary and proper.
Principal concern of this Govern
ment. it was understood, Is to make
sure that dangerous" messages CIV
ing information to the enemy do not
emanate from the st. Pierre radio
station, and at the same time avoid
any action that might serve to push
Vichy into closer collaboration with
the Axis. An agreement already
had been reached for maintenance
Of the neutral status quo of all
French possessions In this hemis-
phere.
CA Vichy broadcast addressed
to the inhabitants of St. Pierre
and Miquelon and heard in New
York assured them that the
government would know how to
restore the status quo" in the
islands taken over by the Free
French. The Associated Press
reported the broadcast was heard
by c. B. S.
Sympathetic Understanding.
Sympathetic understanding of the
United States position was demon
strated in official reaction yesterday
from Vichy. where newspaper ac-
counts of Free French seizure Of St.
Pierre and Miquelon absolved this
country and Britain Of any blame.
The Vichy government issued
communique officially praising
Washingtons stand, made known
Thursday in a State Department
announcement which branded the
Free French action as arbitrary
and contrary to the agreement of
ali parties concerned" and indi-
Gated immediate steps would be
taken to restore Vichy sovereignty
over tho islands.
Although there was no oficial
comment here on the situation
beyond the Christmas Day state
ment, it was clear that any settle
ment sponsored by this Govern
ment would not overlook what is
considered the extreme Importance
OF an Allied check on the st. Pierre
radio station.
Proximity of the islands to United
States Canadian coastal shipping
lanes, as we'll as to transatlantic
shipping routes, gives the Allies .
vital interest in guarding against
disclosure of valuable information
to the enemy through this radio
station,