BLOCKADE OF FRANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 90, 15 March 1941, Page 7

BLOCKADE OF FRANCE.

AMERICA'S ATTITUDE. LONDON, March 14 Vichy's efforts to interest the United States in influencing Britain to relax the blockade of France were referred to to-day by President Roosevelt. He said America would proceed with, caution in providing food for areas not under occupation. He warned reporters against jumping to conclusions on the food situation in France, saying it was necessary lor the whole position to be considered. POLICY OF CAUTION. (11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 14. An indication that the Administration intends to proceed cautiously in supplying food to European unoccupied countries came from President Roosevelt to-day, when he stated that if food were provided from this country there should be a certainty that none would go outside the nation helped. Asked at a Press conference whether he had any observations on sending food to France, the President said he had one suggestion: People should be fairly clear in their facts on the food situation in Europe before reaching conclusions.

"There is not much question," Mr Roosevelt added, "that actual lack of food to keep body and soul together is the greatest in Spain. That raises a question about the certainty that none of the food that might be sent over should go outside a particular place."