Evening star., 1943-04-17
French Unity Asked
By Robert as Price
For Joining in War
Governor of Martinique
Says Antilles Interests
Must Be Sofequorded
BY JOSEPH E DYNAN.


Copyright, 1943. by the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico April II.
Admiral Georges Robert, French
commissioner for Martinique and
Guadeloupe, has stipulated the con-
ditions under which he would jvin
the United Nations, specifying as
two of the conditions that there be
unity of French forces fighting the
Axis under one single authority
vested with sovereign rights" and
that the interests of the French
Antilles be safeguarded.
His stand is stated in a letter to
the Associated Press, dated April 8
and signed simply Robert" in
answer to three questions I addressed
to him in letter asking, first, for an
interview in Martinique; and Sec
ond, lacking that, an answer to my
questions
Admiral Roberts answer repeated
my questions in French and his re-
Sponses were in French, as follows:
l.. why does the high commits
sloner at Martinique remain aloof
from what might be a concerted
drive to liberate metropolitan France
from her German invaders?"
Answer: Because his participa-
ton IN that acticn under present
circumstances risks placing the in
terestS OF the French Antilles in
danger without, by that step. ao-
vanclng by one day the liberation of
France"
Hits Treatment by Allies.
2. Especially when the rest of
the empire has joined the fight?"
Answer: The manner in which
the French who believed that the
moment had come to join the United
Nations have been treated bv the
Allies only confirms me each dav
IN my prudence.
3. What would be necessary, such
as guarantees for example, to in
duce the high commissioner to loin
the struggle?'
Answer: That this act would not
mean the necessity of rebellion
against the French government.
That the Allies permit the French
VINO are flghtlng-instead of con-
Sututlng two factions, one domi-
mated by Britain and the other bv
the American Government-to form
a unity under one single authority
vested with sovereign rights. That
THIS act safeguards the interests
OF the French Antilles such as
have been able to conserve them up
to the present"
Ihe commissioner did not clarity
the significance of rebellion against
| the French government. His ap-
| polntment was received from the
Third Republic before the German
conquest and establishment of the
Petam government at Vichy.
Status of Talks UndiscIosed.
There has been no full disclosure
OF the late status of the direct neeo-
tlatlons between Admiral Robert
and the United States since Nav.
l942, which produced an agreement
stabll1zlng the islands economic
condition and immobilized the 22,-
oOo-ton aircraft carrier Bearn, the
lO,OO0-ton cruiser Emile Bertin, the
training cruiser Jeanne dare and
auxiliary vessels.
The agreement also held it un-
necessary for American troops to
lake positions on the islands de-
spite their command of the ap-
proaches to the Panama Canal
Some 10000 tons of French
merchant shipping in Caribbean
harbors also was involved.
Then came the Allied landings
IN North Africa and negotiations
| with French officials there. Ad-
mlral Robert made no move, so far
as Is known. to throw the Warships.
the merchant tonnage, and a cache
OF French gold reserves into the
Allies balance.
F,'o.. Shipments Halted.
| st mornh, Undersecretary of
late Welles disclosed that United
states food shipments to the French
Antilles had been halted in Novem-
ber-about the time of the North
African landings-and told re-
porters that they could draw their
own conclusions why the shipments
were stopped
+ Later French Guiana, which had
oeen administered by Admiral
Robert, joined the United Nations
The admiral said he was ''happv
Tor this occasion to make the rea.
sons 1or my political attitude known
TO the American people" and wrote
me- L would be happy to receive
your personal visit for the inter-
VleW) as soon as I have reason to
thlnk 1t will be mutually profitable
! to our two nations"