SHOULD REJECT DECISION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 197, 17 May 1941, Page 11

SHOULD REJECT DECISION

U.S. Call To French APPARENT LOSS OF EMPIRE

Blunt Mr. Roosevelt

PLACING GUARD ON NORMANDIE

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received May 16, 9.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 15.

President Roosevelt issued a statement declaring: “It is inconceivable that the French people will accept a collaboration agreement with Germany which in reality would imply an alliance with tne Power that is seeking the utter destruction of liberty, freedom and popular institutions everywhere.” The Treasury today ordered the Coastguard to put armed guards aboard 10 French ships lying in United States ports, including the 83,423-ton liner Normandie. The Senate passed the Bill authorizing the requisitioning of foreign ships. Mr. Roosevelt in his statement said that the United States’ policy toward France has been based on the terms of the original French-German Armistice, and recognizes that “clear limitations” were imposed on the French Government by the Armistice. The President’s statement recalled that Marshal Petain agreed not to collaborate with Germany beyond the Armistice agreement. “This was the least that could be expected from France, which demanded respect for its integrity,” he continued. Countering the People.

"The people of France, who still cherish the ideals of liberty and free institutions, and guard that love of these priceless possessions in their minds and hearts, can be counted on to hold out for these principles till the moment comes for their re-establish-ment.”

Mr. Roosevelt’s statement concluded with an assertion that the United States could liardly believe that the present Government of France would join a voluntary alliance, apparently delivering up France and the colonial Empire, including the French African colonies and the Atlantic coasts, with the menace which tliat involves to the peace and safety of the Western Hemisphere.

NEW U.S. BATTLESHIP

Washington Commissioned

PHILADELPHIA, May 15.

The 35,000-ton U.S. battleship Washington was commissioned, today, six months ahead of schedule. This raises the battleship strength to 17. The Washington has nine 16-inch guns, a speed of 30 knots, and a range of 5000 miles. She cost 70,000,000 dollars. The Maritime Commission announced today that the construction of the first of 200 merchant ships has been begun two weeks ahead of schedule.

The North Carolina, a sister-ship to the Washington, was commissioned on April 0.

ECONOMIC WAR PLAN

International Farm Bloc

WASHINGTON, May 15.

The Commodity Credit Corporation announced that 90,000,000 dollars worth of farm products had been sent to Britain to date under the Lease and Lend Act. Economists are studying preliminary plans whereby the world’s largest agricultural nations, the United States, Argentina, Canada, and Australia, will establish the potential nucleus of an international farm bloc to wage economic warfare against the Axis. The plan originated during a visit by the Argentine Foreign Minister, Senor Ruiz Guinazu, who is now conferring with high officials.

SENATOR WHEELER MAKES PEACE MOVE WASHINGTON, May 15. Senator Wheeler, leader of the isolationists, called on President Roosevelt to propose a negotiated peace in the European war.