Evening star., 1942-04-15
j. !. Holds Up
Relief Shipsin
VichyCrisis
Americon-French
Relations Critical
After Laval Returns

HItGf LuFut NGtuIHS
The United States has held up
two shiploads OF non military
supplies for French North Africa
and a Red Cross food relief ship
for unoccupied France pending
clarification of the situation in
Vichy, Acting Secretary of State
Welles said today.
With relations between the United
States and Vichy apparently more
critical than at any time since
Frances surrender TO Germany
nearly two years ago. Mr.. Welles
indicated that this Government s
position toward the new regime at
Vichy will be announced soon after
Pierre Laval completes his cabinet
and formally assumes power.
Mr.. Welles told press conference
that the two ships in New York
Harbor loaded with supplies for
North Africa were about TO sail in
accordance with an agreement an
nounced last week. ARRANGEMENTS
10 send the Red Cross ship with
milk and children's layettes had not
been completed.
Leahy May BE Recalled.
The recall OF Ambassador William
%. Leahy was expected In some in
formed quarters. but the State De-
partment cautiously withheld any
ofncial indication of its reaction to
the return of Collaborationist Laval
to key position in the Vichy re-
gime pending report from Admiral
teahy.
High Government sources frankly
conceded. however, that a COM
plete re-examination of American
policy toward Vichy-which has
tended In recent weeks toward an
increasingly sympathetic under
standing-"obviously" was necessary.
Whether this would lead to a
flnal rupture of diplomatic rela-
tions with Vichy remains to be
seen, with this Government under
stood to be anxious to maintain
relations as long as 1t possibly can.
May Support Free French.
There were indications, however,
that officials here are seriously
weighing the advisability of at least
calling Admiral Leahy home for
consultation"
Such recall could, of course,
take place without a formal sew
erance Of relations, leaving the sit
uation between the American and
Petain governments the same as
that between Washington and Ber-
lin in the months preceding ac-
tual warfare.
There was much conjecture as to
the possibility not only of a clean
break with Vichy but a more posi-
tive and all-out support of the
Free French government. Informed
sources cautioned. however, against
jumping at conclusions in this di-
rection.
What Hitler and the Japanese
might be expecting to get out of the
new turn in Lavars fortunes was a
matter of grave concern here. OFF,
cials re-eXamining the whole struc-
ture OF Vichy- Washington relations
considered these questions:
The French fleet. The Allies are
seriously engaged in the Pacific and
Indian Oceans. the Germans are
known to be preparing the battle
ships Tirpitz. Scharnhorst and
Gneisenau; the aircraft carriers
Graf Zeppelin and Deutschland and
other strong units for an Atlantic
adventure and to be coveting what
French warships escaped British
guns at Oran or immobilization at
Alexandria.
Under German control or under
orders to collaborate with Germany,
warships of the French feet now
based at Toulon could be a serious
menace to the Allied position, not
only in the Mediterranean but also
In the North Atlantic. Joined with
the German and Italian fleets they
could form powerful force for
blows against the supply route to
Russia, against Iceland, Britain, the
South Atlantic route to Africa, or
cNCh hhalllst lllS AIllCl lOdll COdSl.
Madagascar Important
Madagascar. This strategic French
Island, now under Vichy control.
may become the key to the battle for
India and the British fight to keep
a foothold in the Near East. The
Japanese feet already is cruising
the Indian Ocean With a base on
Madagascar the japanese position
in the vital Indian theater would
be similar 10 the one Toxic held in
the Southwest Pacific at the start
OF the war with Its bases in French
1ndoChina. Now Japan is believed
to be eNerting on Vichy the same
tive control OF Indo-China last year.
Martinique and Guadaloupe. There
have been repeated rumors that
these French islands. in the Wind
ward Group thanking the Panama
Canal, are the sites of secret sub.
marine bases. Due to friendly rela.
tions between the State Department
and local Vichy authorities, it has
been possible to check quickly or
developments in the islands through
American observers stationed there
Should henchmen of Laval gail
control however, 1t is felt that the
United States would have 70 take
vigorous action 10 secure its owr
interests rather than chance wait
Ing for developments.
American or Americsn-supportec
Free French occupation of the is
lands would be no surprise to Wash.
ington observers If developments o
the next few days should indicat,
that Laval was in position TO en-
force collaborationist policy in tht
Western Hemisphere.