AMERICA ACTS QUICKLY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 142, 17 May 1941, Page 7

AMERICA ACTS QUICKLY

GUARDS ON FRENCH SHIPS. PRESIDENT’S BOLD CALL. WASHINGTON. May 12 President Roosevelt issued a statement declaring: “Tt is inconceivable that the French people will accept a collaboration agreement with Germany which in reality would imply an alliance with tin Power that is seeking the utter destruction if liberty, freedom and popular institutions everywhere ” Mr Roosevelt in his statement said that the United States' policy toward France lias been based on the terms <">f the orginal French-German Armistice, and recognises that “clear limitations” were imposed on the French Government by tlye Armistice. The President’s statement recalled that Marshal Retain agreed not to collaborate with Germany beyond the Armistic agreement. “This was the least that could ho oxpecteo from France, which demanded respect for its integrity,’- he continued. “Tho people of France who still cherish tho ideal of liberty and free institutions. and guard that love of these priceless possessions in their minds and hearts, ca/l lie counted on to hold out for those principles till the moment cones lor their re-establishment.” Mr Roosevelt's statement concluded with an assertion that the United States could hardly 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 that involves to the peace and safely of the Western Homisohcro.

The Treasury to-day ordered the Coastguard to put armed guards aboard 10 French ship’s lying in United States ports, including the 83.423-ton liner Normandie. The Senate passed the Bill authorising llie requisitioning of foreign ships.