London, Mar. 11.
IHE statement by Admiral Francois Darlan, Vichy Vice-Premier and Foreign Mimister, that French warships would escort French cargo ships if the British continued their "interference," was commented upon by a spokesman of the British Ministry of Economic Warfare last night.
The spokesman told Reuters' diplomatic correspondent! "Admiral Darlan stated he was still hopeful of an understanding with Britain over this matter.
We in this country hoped, and continue to hope, that"France will understand our blockade policy. If there were any means of helping unoccupied France without helping Germany, the British Government always would be prepared to consider them, but so far no proposals have been put forward.
"It must be remembered that the French Government has accepted the principle" of economic cooperation with Germany. Admiral Darlan may be responsible for feeding 40.000.000 people in France. Britain, however, is fighting to free not 40,000,000 people in France. but many times that nuniber of enslaved people of Europe. including those same 40,000,000 Frenchmen."
The Getmans may have released 2,000,000 quintals of wheat for France, but this scarcely reflects any German generosity since they are only return-g a fraction of what they have looted in France in sever. months, the spokesman added.—Peut: r,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.