MARSHAL PETAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 7

MARSHAL PETAIN

MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT INTENTIONS OUTLINED N£W YORK, Nov. 4. (Received Nov. 5, at 11.55 p.m.) The New York Times Washington correspondent says it is .reliably reported that Marshal Petain’s message to President Roosevelt says that the fate of the war planes at Martinique must be decided by the Armistice Commission; France does not intend to go to war against Britain, nor give the fleet to Germany, nor give up her possessions in the West Indies, Africa and Indo-China. The message refers at length and bitterly to relations with Britain and appeals to the United States not to kick France while she is down. The Times understands that Herr Hitler and Marshal Petain recently discussed the manufacture of armaments, in return for which Herr Hitler would liberate 150,000 French prisoners each month. It is reported that the French liner Cuba left Martinique on Friday with 1500 marines and a. large cargo of bullion, rum, and sugar for France.

A message from Porto Rico states that - two United States destroyers patrolled off Martinique and Guadeloupe. Two American officials are reported to be conferring with the Governor, Henri Bressolles, and Admiral Robert at Fort de France. The aircraft carrier Beam and the cruiser Emil Berlin are at the fort.