851B.01/16
The Vice Consul at Martinique (Blocker) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that it has been my pleasure to accompany Rear Admiral J. W. Greenslade, United States Navy, when calling upon Admiral Robert, High Commissioner for the French West Indies, and to be present at the conversations held under dates of August 5, 6, and 7, 1940, in connection with the military and naval situation in the French West Indies.
Rear Admiral Greenslade, accompanied by myself, first called upon Admiral Robert on August 5, 1940, and, as a preliminary step before going into the matter in all its details, Admiral Greenslade obtained from Admiral Robert an assurance that the American built planes brought to Martinique aboard the Carrier Bearn, and which had since been landed ashore at Fort-de-France, would not be transported, and that the warships would not be moved other than essential for [Page 514] administration in local waters; it was also agreed that the senior representative of the United States in the French West Indies would be given notice forty-eight hours in advance of any proposed movement on the part of the larger units—Bearn, Emile Bertin, Jeanne d’Arc, the latter unit being at Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.
These assurances were given in respect to the maintenance of neutrality and the neutrality limitation established by the Pan American Republics on the part of the United States.
The discussion held on the morning of August 6, 1940, dwelt chiefly with the disposition of the planes at Martinique. Admiral Greenslade presented to Admiral Robert the viewpoint of the American Government as regards the situation at Martinique, and of the desire of the United States that the neutrality limitation recently established by the Pan American Republics69 be respected. To this end he requested:
- (1)
- That the High Commissioner request the French Government to obtain from the German Government such release from the terms of the Armistice as to enable the High Commissioner to guarantee to the United States that the French ships now in the West Indies will not return to Continental France or to French West African Ports, but to remain in the vicinity of the French West Indies, within the limits of restricted areas to be determined in mutual agreement.
- (2)
- That the ships remain in their present positions, unless the High Commissioner should find it necessary to move them in the interest of local administration or emergency, in which case the United States Government be notified through the French Embassy in Washington prior to such movement.
- (3)
- That a United States Naval Officer be received in Martinique and be given every facility for inspection and observation, to insure that any guarantee given to the United States by the French Government, in a mutual effort to maintain the aforesaid neutrality and respect its limitations, is being carried out.
- (4)
- That the American built planes brought to Martinique on the Carrier Bearn, be returned to the private manufacturers in the United States, the French Government to be reimbursed in the amount of the full purchase price.
At this same interview Admiral Greenslade presented to the High Commissioner a memorandum, reiterating the understanding and agreement arrived at on August 5, 1940, and submitting proposals relative to a further clarification of the situation, a copy of which memorandum is attached.70
In the discussions had on August 6, 1940, the High Commissioner made it clear that he was honor bound by the terms of the French-German Armistice and that it was his intention to strictly adhere to [Page 515] the terms thereof. He said that no foreign Power should have the slightest pretext to fear that the airplanes and naval forces at Martinique would ever fall into German hands or be sent to Continental France, inasmuch as the terms of the Armistice strictly forbids any such movement. He stated further that orders had been given to all French Commanders to scuttle their ships rather than to let them fall into the hands of the Germans, and that this order was still effective. As a further proof of his intentions, he stated that he had ordered that all of the planes which were aboard the Bearn, be taken ashore, where they are exposed to the elements, and, so he says, will soon deteriorate and become useless through neglect.
After having lunch with the High Commissioner, Admiral Robert invited Admiral Greenslade and me to inspect the American built planes landed from the Bearn.
We found the planes in the condition as represented, that is, ashore, exposed to the elements and uncared for. There were some 112 planes in all, about 44 of which were Curtiss dive bombers.
Later in the day Admiral Robert presented Admiral Greenslade with a written memorandum in reply to Admiral Greenslade’s memorandum above noted, copy of which is also attached.71
From this memorandum it will be noted that Admiral Robert simply confirmed what he had said on the morning of August 6, 1940, that is:
- (1)
- That in compliance with the armistice terms, the planes and naval units at Martinique would not be allowed to leave the proximity of the French West Indies, with the exception of the movement of such vessels as necessary for local administration, in which case the United States would be given advance notice through the French Embassy at Washington.
- (2)
- That under the terms of the armistice a Colonial Force is to be created, the exact composition of which has not yet been determined; that the United States will be notified just as soon as it is known what ships will be designated for the Force; that the ships will in no case return to Continental France, but may be ordered by reasons of administration, or maintenance, to leave for French Colonies, in which case advance notice of departure of the ships will be given to the United States.
- (3)
- That the High Commissioner is agreeable to the designation of a United States Naval Officer at Martinique, to whom will be given every facility for the fulfilment of his mission.
- (4)
- That the terms of the armistice strictly forbid the sending of the French planes to any foreign country; that the land planes taken ashore at Fort-de-France have been rendered useless by the fact that there is no landing field on the island; that the planes cannot be used on the Carrier Bearn; and that due to the lack of proper shelter and maintenance, the planes will soon deteriorate and thereby be rendered absolutely useless.
Admiral Robert gave his solemn pledge to act in full conformity with the conditions of neutrality, and to carefully avoid any action which could be used as a pretext for another Power to break that neutrality.
A farewell call was made to Admiral Robert on the morning of August 7, 1940, after which Admiral Greenslade departed for San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Conclusion.
It is felt that the result of the conversations between Rear Admiral Greenslade and the High Commissioner were productive of a clear and mutual understanding on the part of the two representatives, and that Admiral Robert will continue to fulfil the desires of the United States with reference to the neutrality limitation as established by the Pan American Republics.
Respectfully yours,