FRENCH COLONIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1942, Page 5

FRENCH COLONIES

MARTINIQUE & NEW CALEDONIA (Rec. 12.30) WASHINGTON, May 21. Mr. Cordell Hull, at a Press conference, said that the Martinique conversations had progressed so satisfactoriy that those dealing with military matters would probably conclude within five or six days. Those dealing with economic matters, such as the disposition of merchant ships now in French West Indian harbours, were likely to take longer. Mr. Hull said that the State Department had not made an appeal to General de Gaulle for help in dealing with New Caledonia conditions, which some quarters reported. He said that the only aim of the United States’ occupation of French or Free French territory was to advance the United States’ cause and win the war. It was done with a definite and solemn undertaking, to return the territory to the appropriate French authority at the end of the war.

BRITISH IN MADAGASCAR. (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 2L The Paris radio reports that funner strong British contingents landed at Diego Suarez, including important R.A.F. units. It is believed that the British intend to attack the French air-base further to the south. A report from Algeciras states that two cruisers, and an aircraft-carrier arrived at Gibraltar, followed by a steamer, carrying 5000 American troops.