THE FRENCH SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 8

THE FRENCH SHIPS.

TENSION IN INDIES. NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRITAIN.

(By CARLOS J. VI DELL A.)

SAX JUAN", Puerto Rico. Negotiations between the French and British regarding the presence of French nien-o'-war in West Indian waters is proceeding satisfactorily, according to reliable information available in this capital city of I'uerto Rico. Here a large. American naval squadron iiinchored. making this place the centre of information concerning the activities in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Negotiations are being conducted on behalf of Vranee by Governor of Martinique, and Governor Sorin. of Guadeloupe, nrl Admiral Robert. High Commissioner for Martinique. Guadeloupe and French Guiana, and on belialf of England by the Admiral in command of naval forces in the Caribbean and Sir Hubert Young, Governor of Trinidad.

Sir Hubert, who had a picturesque career with the famous Lawrence of Arabia during the hist war. Hew to Martinique at the beginning of trouble after the collapse of France and tiied unsuccessfully then to have the local French authorities come to terms regarding the disposition of the aircraftcarrier Beam and the training cruiser Jeanne d'Arc. The latter i> now in Guadeloupe. Gold Rsport Unconfirmed. Reports, apparently eonlirnied. are that the Beam has aboard more than 100 American-made aeroplane.-. Rut the rc-port that the Bank of France had sent to Martinique about 150.000.000 dollars in gold has not been verified so far, but such action is held plausible here.

Meanwhile naval and military authorities in Puerto Rico are unrelaxing in their vigilance at this outpost of defence of the entire Caribbean zone and the Panama Canal. The army lias established a line of small posts along the coastline, housed in tents. A squadron of destroyers constantly patrol the waters around here, while the big naval living boats drone offshore. The construction of the huge air lia-e in .San Juan is proceeding rapidly. The great frames of the hangars, painted red. are ready. Punta Borinquen, at. the other end of this island, which will be the greatest air base in the Caribbean, is taking final shape. Watchful U.S. Destroyers. In the. inner harbour an American destroyer stands watch, and half a dozen others are out to sea on the neutrality patrol. Communications between Puerto lvico and the French possessions in the West Indies have been practically suspended since the collapse of French resistance to the German invasion. '"Baby Clippers." flying the route from this island to Port of Spain. Trinidad, bv way of TVnnte-a-Pitrc. (Guadeloupe, and Fort de France, now leave almost empty, due to the refuel of the French authorities to grant \ir-a. to foreigners: while the big Clippers, going direct from San Juan to Trinidad, have a full passenger list.

The American consular office in Martinique, which had been vacant for more than a year, is now occupied by ViceConsul Harwood Blocker, who went to that French island a few days ago to take care of American interests "there. The last American official to call at Martinique is U.S. Marshal Donald Draughan. who left for Xew York today in charge of two Puerto Rican nationalists, convicted of treason.—