Evening star., 1942-03-27
Viehy Promises Seen
Easing u. 5. Concern
Over Aid 10 Axis
Assurances Reported;
Washington Puts Relations
On Doy-to-Doy Bosis
By GARRETT d. HORNER.

Vichy government on four major is
sues have abated official concern
here over the extent of French col
Liberation with the Axis and cleared
away for the time being the ominous
clouds overhanging French Amer
lean relations for the last several
weeks.
This Governments policy. accord
Ing to authoritative information,
continues to be to maintain AMIGA
BILE relations with Vichy on a
realistic day-to-day basis, subject
to overnight change if developments
should alter the delicate situation.
The latest assurances from Vichy
has been accepted AS settling, as
far as assurances can go, problems
arising out of these developments.
/. French agreement with Italy
for shipping certain amounts Of
food and trucks to the Italian forces
in North Africa.
q Making available some gasoline
from French military stocks in
North Africa to the Italians in
Libya
8. Movement of the French bat
tleship Dunkerque to Toulon. with
out notifying this Government in
advance. as Vichy had promised to
do If any fleet units are moved.
l. Entrance of a German sub
marine into port at the French
West Indian island of Martinique
to discharge a wounded crew men,
Der.
Diplomatic action on these Incl
dents included:
l. This Government made vigorous
representations to Vichy to the ef-
feet that shipment of food and
trucks to Italy's African forces
meant open collaboration beyond
Frances armistice obligations, and
that If it continued, the United
States would have to reconsider its
relations with Vichy. Vichy then
assured Washington that the ship
ments would be stopped, and Amer
lean officials have ascertained that
they have ceased.
Advantage to Italy Cited.
2. Vichy attempted the explana-
ton she was obliged under her
armistice terms to turn over mill
tary stocks of gasoline in continen-
tai France to the Axis, and that
In one instance a certain amount
was sent to Italian forces from
military stocks in North Africa, this
later being replaced by an equiva-
lent shipment from metropolitan
France. This Government pointed
out that the effect was to save the
Italians the trouble and danger Of
shipping the gasoline across the
Mediterranean. 1t received prom
ise that the incident would not be
repeated The gasoline involved, it
was emphasized, was from French
military stocks, not from civilian
supplies nor from American ship
ments.
3. In response to American repre-
sentations, vichy gave an acceptable
explanation of the Dunkerque
movement, details Of which cannot
be revealed, and renewed assurances
to give us prior notification of any
other fleet movement.
4. This Government ascertained
that the German submarine which
entered a Martinique port did not
take on any supplies or communi-
cate with any one ashore and later
received assurances from Vichy that
no Axis vessels would be permitted
again to enter her Western Hemi-
sphere ports for any reason.
No U. S. Commitments.
These assurances have not been ac-
companied by any commitments on
the part of the United States, 1t was
said, beyond published declarations
that this country desires the restora-
ton of a free and Independent
France.
Negotiations are still under way
for resumption of limited trade with
French North Africa.
While the administration has been
criticized for not breaking off re-
lations with Vichy, those in charge
of American foreign policy feel there
are advantages in maintaining nor
NAL relations under present cond1-
tions.
Those close to President Roosevelt,
Secretary of State Hull and Under
secretary Of State Welles insist that
no one would get more satisfaction
than they from cooperating up to
the hilt with Frenchmen having
suficient intestinal fortitude and
realistic patriotism to continue active
resistance to the Axis, as the Free
French movement Is doing.
No Room for Sentiment.
However, it has been decided there
IS no room for sentiment. The Free
French cannot expect diplomatic
recognition unless they convince the
policv-makers here that they are
stronger and more representative OF
all Frenchmen than they are now
considered. Washington already has
gone far in cooperation with the
Free French, extending them lease
lend assistance and formally recog-
nizing Free French representatives
In territories where they exercise
reflective control" as in the Pacific
Tangible and valuable advantages
Of continuing relations with Vichy
it is pointed out. include the friend
ly influence over Marshal Petain
chief of the Vichy government. by
Admiral William r. Leahy, Amer
lean Ambassador.