CREWS GOING HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1940, Page 6

CREWS GOING HOME

FROM FRENCH WARSHIPS AT ALEXANDRIA VESSELS DEMILITARISED. UNDER FRIENDLY AGREEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.35 a.m.) RUGBY. July 9. A statement issued by the British naval authorities at Alexandria says: “In the Mediterranean, the closest comradeship and goodwill have existed between the Allied forces conducting the war from Alexandria. As soon as it was realised that France must surrender, consultations were held between the Commander-in-Chief and Admiral Godfroy. It was hoped at that time that it might be possible to continue to fight side by side. When the terms of the armistice became known, it was evident that a new situation had developed. Admiral Godfroy therefore was asked to consider various proposals on the lines of those / sent to Oran. Seeing that, in a foreign harbour and in the presence of a greatly superior British fleet, there was no possibility of taking the French ships to sea, and that the attempt would only endanger valuable French lives, it was agreed by Admiral Godfroy that he would first put the ships in a condition so that they could not go to sea. This was done by reducing the oil aboard so that there was sufficient for harbour purposes only. Secondly, it was agreed to demilitarise the ships. This was done by landing certain portions of the armament and placing them under the care of French authorities ashore. Thirdly, it was agreed to reduce the crews so as to leave sufficient only for the care and maintenance of the ships. This is now being done and the crews leaving are being sent to Syria and later to France, as has been decided by the French Admiralty. The British Government guarantees supplies and the pay of the men responsible for the maintenance of the ships and their return to France at the end of the war.”