Evening star., 1941-05-16
President Indicates
u ). Will Insist on
Freedom Of the Seas
Questioned on Red Sea
Situation, He Recalls
Borbory Pirates
Continued From First Page.)

lean ship In a dozen fell victim to
the pirates; second, the issue of
freedom of the seas, which this
Government met by sending a naval
squadron to the Mediterranean.
making 1t truly free to American
commerce in a space of two years
or so.
Powed Used in Indies Also.
Similarly, Mr.. Roosevelt recalled
this Government used its naval
power to free the Caribbean-W West
Indies area from depredations by
privateers under the French, British
and Spanish flags.
Several times in the course Of
this recounting of American use of
naval power the Chief Executive
told his conference that here was
their lead, adding that they might
profltably follow up his train Of
thought.
After a question whether there are
any modern counterparts of the
Barbary pirates. he directed his in
terrogator to use his head.
Mr.. Roosevelt, looking a little pale
but nevertheless fit after leisurely
convalescence from a stomach all
ment, opened his conference by say
ing he had no news today Imme-
diately there was a barrage of Ques-
tions about possible further action
in the matter of Franco-American
relations, particularly with regard to
possible occupation of French pos
sessions In this hemisphere. To
most of these the President replied
he could not answer hypothetical
questions.
No interpretations.
Asked if Franco American diplo-
matte relations would continue in
status quo, he replied that he could
not do any interpreting of the news
these days. His statement of last
night, he said, spoke for itself.
To questions whether agreed-on
shipments of foodstuffs to France
and French North Africa will be
continued, he said he did not know.
To a question of what action might
be taken under the Havana declara-
ton and the Monroe Doctrine with
regard to French possessions in this
hemisphere, he suggested querying
the State Department.
He made this same answer to in
quiries whether information had
been received here from the Vichy
government or from our AmbaSsa-
dor there, William D. Leahy.
AS a questioner attempted to aScer-
tain the possibility of rupture with
the Vichy government. by asking If
we contemplate recognition of the
so-called free French" regime of
General Charles De Gaulle, Mr..
Roosevelt said he had not heard
of such thing at present and that
1t is not subject of discussion.
Won't Predict Future.
Questioners finally succeeded In
drawing the President out more
when they turned to the issue of
our neutrality patrol and policies
at sea.
At first reluctant, the President
finally explained that all these
things are current from hour to
hour and day to day. He is not able
he said, to talk in glittering gen.
eralities or to answer hypothetical
questions.
These are times. he went on,
when things are terribly serious In
the world and when 1t Is not per-
missible for him to make news for
the good people" at his press con-
ferences. No human being can pre-
G!ct what is going to happen to-
morrow or in the future, he added.
At this point he was asked about
the German pronouncement re-
garding the Red Sea, and went into
his historical discussion.
Action on French Ships Sudden.
White House action toward France
came Unexpectedly last night as a
climax to several days Of half-secre-
tive negotiations between the Berlin