DEFENCE MOVES AT MARTINIQUE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 8

DEFENCE MOVES AT MARTINIQUE

Feverish Preparations PROPOSALS BY U.S.A. REJECTED OL Telegraph — Press Assn. —Conyright.) MONTREAL, November 13. A correspondent of the New York Overseas News Agency, who has returned from Martinique, states that the French there, under orders from Vichy, have rejected every proposal made by the United States to keep the island from Germany, and that they are fevetishiy preparing for its defence.

Gendarmes are erecting road barricades. and lighters are transferring ammunition from the aircraft-carries Bearn to laud batteries. Between lour and six thousand troops who are loyal to Vichy are practising repelling landing parties, and those who cannot be trusted are being shipped to Casablanca. The inhabitants are verging on revolution, but are unarmed. The American planes from the Bearn are in excellent condition, and only await pilots. A fortnight ago the" German freighter Helgoland sailed from Barranquila, Colombia, carrying many German pilots. Mechanics and technicians were seen alongside an unidentified warship last week. If the Helgoland penetrates the blockade, the correspondent states, Martinique will be impregnable except against an all-out tittack. He adds that a French ship from Casablanca brought SO “Boles and Czechs - ’ alleged to be from the French army, and infers that they were Gesapo agents. United States destroyer patrols watch Fort de France and naval bombers from I’orto Rico ll.v over Maitinique daily. Six United Stales destroyers and an aircraft-carrier ate believed to be based on St. Lucia.