VICHY SATELLITE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25215, 3 May 1943, Page 3

VICHY SATELLITE

ISLAND OF MARTINIQUE AMERICA SEVERS RELATIONS (Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY, Apl. 30. The United States has presented a Note to the Governor of Martinique, Admiral Georges Robert, abrogating all existing agreements. The Note said the United States regarded Admiral Robert as still loyal to Vichy. It also announced that the United States was recalling the American Consul-general from Martinique. A consular officer would remain to protect American interests. Announcing the delivery of the United States Note at Fort de France, the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, said America had done everything possible to collaborate with Admiral Robert and the people of Martinique. Every opportunity had been given them to follow the example of Frenchmen everywhere and join the fight against the worst oppressor France had ever known. The Note stated: “It is common knowledge that this territory of metropolitan France, contrary to the wish of the French people, is being used in an increasing degree for active military operations against the United States, and that this Vichy regime is now an integral part of the Nazi system.”

The Note added that the United States did not recognise or negotiate with any French representative in the Antilles who remained subservient' to or maintained contact with the Vichy regime. Accordingly, the American Consul-general was being withdrawn.