The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-08-01
DEALING WITH FRANCE

DEALING WITH FRANCE
A mixture OF tropical heat ard
Gallo polemios has slowed down
the negotiations for a complete &C
cord between The United States and
the French high commissioner OF
Martinique concerning the future
status Of the French Caribbean
possession.
Unless an agreement Is reached
soon, the State Department may
call home Samuel Reber, its repre-
sentative in Martinique for consul.
tation. and rest.
Reber has been p Martinique
since May 9. when the United
States started direct negotiations
with Admiral George Robert, the
French high commissioner. for a
complete accord concerning naval
and commercial problems.
At that time, il looked as though
the United States might have 10
occupy Martinique in order to neu-
tralize the French warships anch-
ored in the harbor of Fort de
France However, Admiral Robert
finally agreed 10 immobilize his war
ships and this action was complet.
ed the latter part OF May.
The discussions then conferred
on commercial problems, includ-
ing American control OF communi-
cations and traffic and disposition
of several French cargo ships, in
Guiding tankers.
Disposition OF the cargo ships has
proved the most dificult problem
TO solve.
The United States wants the yes
sells placed at the disposal Of the
United Nations under equitable
conditions. Admiral Robert says
the Vichy government won't per
NIT him to agree to this move be-
cause it would be contrary to the
terms of the Armistice with Ger
many and Italy.
Various compromise proposals
have been discussed French Am
bassador CASTOR Henry-Haye in
Washington proposed to the Argen-
tine envoy, Don Felipe Espil. that
Argentina lease the ships for use
in inter-American trade This was
not acceptable to the American gov
eminent A proposal was made
that the ships be leased TO Brazil.
Nearly four months have passed
since the negotiations started, and
still no complete accord has been
reached. Admiral Robert wants 10
take his time In view OF the fact
that he quickly agreed TO the most
important aspect OF the negotia-
tions-the immobilization OF his
warships, the American govern
ment has been patient with him in
respect to the other problems.
The French Admiral has taken
full advantage OF this patience He
feels 1t is too hot in Martinique TO
rush things that are not OF urgent
importance. Memoranda must be
written. There must be careful
deliberation concerning details. A
comma omitted here or there might
change the Interpretation to be
placed on a diplomatic note. Some
questions must be referred back 70
the central authority in Vichy for
approval. And so the negotiations
have been moving slowly, but per-
haps soundly. We consider the
French our friends. In the present
situation there are unusual compli-
cations. Time, patience and good
judgment are necessary, particular.
ly the latter
Our natural reaction Ia that
French possessions that offer ad.
ysntages for German air bases
near our shores should be taken
without delay and that the French
fleet should be safely disposed Of
before It is taken over by the Axis
for use against us. But there are
other considerations OF deep diplo-
q matte importance and ii is our re.
gard for diplomacy that leads US
along the slow course OF much talk
and delayed action.