French Ships Blockaded At Martinique

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 159, 6 July 1940, Page 9

French Ships Blockaded At Martinique

TENSION IN WEST INDIES

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. noon.)

WASHINGTON, July 5

French sources state that the Island of Martinique, in the West Indies, is blockaded by British cruisers dnd fighting may be imminent.

According to some sources the island authorities have sided with the Petain Government. It is stated that the British have sought to prevent a shipment of American aeroplanes, which had been delivered to the island from California, from falling into German hands. Some French submarines and smaller craft, and a force of French marines are at Martinique and some French gold is held there.

It is reported that the American aeroplanes have been lemoved from the crates, and it is suggested they might be used in the event of a fight.

Martinique is well inside the pan-American neutrality zone. An unconfirmed report states that the French aircraft carrier Beam, on which are 1 00 American 'planes, is at Martinique.

Martinique is n densely-wooded island of 380 square miles, lying to the north of Trinidad. It is one of the Lesser Antilles, and has a much indented, precipitous coast. The central portion is mountainous, but the plains are lertile. 1

The island has been French, with three short intervals, since 1635, and has a population of 247.000. St Pierre, the chief town, was destroyed in an eruption of the volcano Mont Pelea in 1902. The capital is Fort de trance. The towns, united by a telegraph line and communicating by cable with the United States and South America, are both on the west coast, St. Pjerre being tho centre of commerce.

Martinique is administered by a governor, a privy council, litigation council, and general council, which is elected by universal suffrage. It has also been represented in France by a senator and two deputies. The population consists mainly of negroes and mulattoes.