FRENCH PLAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 305, 2 October 1940, Page 5

FRENCH PLAN.

DEFENCES AT MARTINIQUE.

LOOKED ON AS A THREAT.

(Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 1

Official sources state that any fortification of Martinique would be considered as a direct threat to the defences of the Americas and would undoubtedly cause the invocation of the Havana Convention.

This follows a report from Vichy that it is intended to strengthen the facilities for warships at Martinique. M. Henry Hay.e (French Ambassador) conferred with President Roosevelt regarding Martinique, after which M. Haye said: “The plan to resume work on the defences of the Fort de France is old. It was prepared before the war. I am sure there is nothing important separating the Unites States and French viewpoints.” He added that he had discussed cordially United States and French relations, but not Indo-China. President Roosevelt told a group of South American General Staff officials who are visiting the United States, at the invitation of the United States General Staff, that the .Pan-Americas must co-operatei with the Western Hemisphere in defence as one for all and all for one. In the name of the visitors, the Bolivian delegate replied that the visit was another link in the chain uniting the Pan-Americans.