FRENCH WARSHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1942, Page 3

FRENCH WARSHIPS

NOW AT ALEXANDRIA LAVAL REJECTS AMERICAN PROPOSALS. WANTS VESSELS RETURNED. LONDON, July 14. Vichy has turned down proposals by President Roosevelt that French warships at Alexandria should be removed from the Egyptian war zone. Mr Sumner Welles, United States Under-Secretary of State, announcing this, said that on July 3 President Roosevelt’ had suggested to Vichy that the French warships at Alexandria should be moved through the Suez Canal under the protective custody of the United States and sail to an American or neutral port for internment, the warships to be returned to France after the war. He warned Vichy that if this offer was refused the British authorities would be justified in ordering the French warships out of Alexandria and through the canal. If that order was not obeyed, the British would be fully justified in destroying the ships. This offer was refused by Laval. On July 9, President Roosevelt submitted second proposals that the warships should proceed under AngloAmerican guarantee to Martinique and be immobilised there. This suggestion also was turned down. Vichy asked that the ships should be returned to a nearby French port. Mr Welles said it appeared as if Vichy wanted France’s naval units to be not too far from the Axis.