PLANES AT MARTINIQUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 279, 24 October 1940, Page 8

PLANES AT MARTINIQUE.

LONG-STANDING DISPUTE. WASHINGTON, Oct. 22. The French Ambassador (M. Henry Haye) has denied reports that the United States planes are at Martinique. He added that the American-made planes from the aircraft-carrier Beam remained, but were not in a condition to fly. The question of their recovery by the United States depended on the Armistice Commission. "The French Navy lias objected to n proposal, made by the United States, that the aircraft-carrier Beam (22,146 ions) sl.duld be interned at New Orleans," stated a message dispatched from Washington on July 12. ' The Beam, on which there are 150 Ameri-can-made planes, the French cruiser, Jeanne d'Arc, and several French submarines, are at the French Isiand of Martinique, and British warships have been patrolling in that locality for a week, the British being most concerned to prevent the Beam and her planes from falling into German hands. Jt is reported that the French i.avy will rotallow the Beam or other ships to leave French waters. The United States is continuing its efforts to i revent a conflict at Martinique. Now conversations between France ind the United States concern the possibility of establishing.an international commission to guarantee the immobilisation of the ships at Martinique."