Evening star., 1942-05-10
j. ). Sends Mission
To Martinique 10
Seek Guarantee
Admiral Hoover Goes
To Island in Move TO
'Thwurt Aid to Axis
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
Caribbean possessions and French
sovereignty there may remain I'M
changed, and where Admiral Robert
will continue to be recognized as
the ultimate governing authority Of
French Caribbean possessions.
No Elaboration on Robert.
State Department officials refused
to elaborate on the reference to
Admiral Robert as the ultimate
governing authority" for the pos
sessions involved which include the
island Of Guadeloupe and French
Guiana, on the South American
mainland. as well as Martinique.
It was obvious, however, that
assumption by Admiral Robert of
ultimate" authority would in effect
remove control of the possessions
from the collaborationist govern
ment at Vichy. 1t was significant,
too, that the negotiations are being
undertaken directly with Admiral
Robert, and not through Vichy.
It was said in responsible quar-
ters that the proposed arrangement,
no details of which were made pub
lie, offers Admiral Robert an hon
orable method to safeguard the pos
sessions under his control for
France. The proposed arrangement.
it was said, would perpetuate the
policy of Marshal Petain when he
was free to act.
Petain O.K.'d Arrangements.
The aged Marshal Petain, who re-
Gently was forced to turn over the
reins of active government at Vichy
to the pro-Axis Laval, had approved
previous agreements between the
United States and Admiral Robert
to assure neutrality Of French new
world possessions.
The decision to seek an amicable
new arrangement with Admiral
Robert apparently was taken In a
last effort to avoid outright seizure
of Martinique and the other French
possessions by United States armed
forces.
Some action in regard to the
nearby French territories has been
expected since Lavals return to
power at Vichy in view of convic-
ton here that he will collaborate
In every way as far as possible with
Germany in order to preserve his
own power. 1t is realized that at
any time he might initiate action in
regard to the French Western Hem
isphere possessions at the dictation
of Germany which would directly
menace American security.
Text Of Announcement.
The text of the State Depart
n1ent's announcement follows:
The President has directed q
visit by Admiral Hoover, as COM
mander of the Caribbean Sea Front,
accompanied by q representative of
the Department Of State, to Martin
aque for the purpose of seeking with
the French high commissioner there
an understanding with respect to
the local problem presented by the
French possessions In the Caribbean
area arising out Of the collaboration
policy Of Monsieur Laval.
Admiral Hoover and Mr.. Samuel
Reber, assistant chief of the Divis-
lon Of European Affairs, Depart
ment Of State, arrived at Martinique
this morning.
SAdy,oirol I1onvor 10 o,,tto~;.ni -
propose an arrangement whereby
the French flag may continue to
fly over the French Caribbean pos
sessions and French sovereignty
there Will remain unchanged, and
whereby Admiral Robert will con-
tinue to be recognized as the ulti-
mate governing authority OF French
Caribbean possessions.
Should mutually satisfactory ar
rangements be reached with Ad-
mtral Robert as high commissioner.
assuring that the French authori-
ties IN the French Caribbean At
lantic Coast area will not furnish
aid or comfort to Axis forces, the
United States is prepared to safe
guard the interests of France in
these areas, to maintain their eco
nomic life, and to assure that all
assets Of the French government in
the French Caribbean possessions
be held for the ultimate use of the
French people"
Question Of Authority.
The development raised the oues-
ton of the extent of Admiral Rob-
ert's authority to enter into such
an agreement. It aroused, too. con-
lecture as to what course the United
States would follow If he should ask
V1chy's approval for the arrange
ment suggested and Vichy should
say no.
1t also was said that the ar
rangement was similar to a plan
which Admiral Robert once an
proved, submitted to Marshal Pc
tain, formerly actual chief of the
Vichy government. and put into
effect with Marshal Petain's ap-
proval.
The developments also raised the
question of a continuation of food
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