FRENCH WARSHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24969, 16 July 1942, Page 5

FRENCH WARSHIPS

THE AMERICAN PROPOSALS REJECTED BY VICHY WASHINGTON. (Rec, 0.15 a.m.) July 15. The Under-secretary of State. Mr Sumner Welles, disclosed that Vichy had rejected two proposals made by President Roosevelt for the removal of the demilitarised French warships from the Egyptian war zone. The President proposed to Vichy that the warships should be moved through the Suez canal under the protective custody of the United States to an American or neutral port for internment until the end of the war. He pointed out to Vichy that the warships in Alexandria were in a precarious position and always liable to be attacked, whereas if they were removed they would be safeguarded and returned to Franco at the end of the war. At the same time, the President warned Vichy that if the offer was rejected the British would be justified in ordering the French warships from. Alexandria, via the canal. If they did not follow such orders the British would be fully justified in destroying them, M. Laval rejected this offer. On July 9 President Roosevelt made a second proposal. He suggested that the warships should be withdrawn, via the Suez, and proceed under British and American guarantees of safe passage to Martinique, where they would be immobilised with an assurance that they would be returned to the French after the war.

The President emphasised that hr made this proposal because, whatever the developments in the African zone in the near future, the French warships were in danger of attack. M. Laval also rejected this proposal. Vichy insisted that the ships should proceed to a nearby French port. Mr Welles said he was sure the French people would understand that the offers were made in the interests of the French.