Vichy Efforts to Break Our Blockade
Limits will have to be put to our tolerance of Admiral Darlan's methods of bringing not only food but other material to France for the benefit of Germany. Last week reports were received that four French merchant ships, escorted by a French destroyer, were approaching the Straits of Gibraltar with rubber and other war material for Germany. On Sunday our naval vessels, having allowed the convoy to pass through the Straits and out of Spanish territorial water, caught up with it, and in the proper way called upon the vessels to stop for visit and search. Such action is strictly in accordance with belligerent rights. French shore batteries, however, opened fire, and compelled our ships to fire back in self-defence. The latter were fully entitled in view of such action to sink the convoy, but desisted out of regard for our former Allies. Apologists of the Vichy Government state that the cargoes consisted solely of food for the Algerian population. Even if this, contrary to our information, had been the case, it was still perfectly proper to search the ships for contraband, and to take whatever action was thought right if they resisted. If Admiral Dalian persists in such attempts to break the British blockade of Germany with the use of his armed forces he is committing an unneutral act, and joining the enemy in hostilities against us. The Government will have universal support for any measures it may feel it necessary to adopt in face of such a situation.
