Vichy, July 12.
Apparently fearing possible extension of the United States patrol to Atlantic outposts, the Vichy govern ment has completely repaired and recommissioned: the 39,000-ton battle ship Richelicu as well as the remainder of the Dakar squadron com= prising three cruisers and several destroyers, " well-informed sources here declared.
Land defences also have been strengthened against any landing at. tempi, these quarters declared. It was said that these measures coincided with the continuous reinforce ment of the Azores garrisons by "Xo be Given Independence London, July 12, As soon as possible after the conclusion of the armistice, the Free French intend to negotiate treaties with the governments of Syria and Lebanon, granting them independence and concluding @ perpetual military. and political alliance, combatant sources said today, 'The treaties envisaged will be based on the 1936 agreement, It was believed that o delayed action provision will be attached to the independence agreement, but it] was emphasized that General' Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, does not necessarily intend to postpone Syria's and Lebanon's enjoy ment of complete freedom until ater the war, Although it was believed that Hitler has been pressing Vichy continue the fight as long as pos~ sible, the Syrian hostilities were expected {0 end today, It was believed that' the majority of the 45,000 Vichy troops stationed in Syria of the start of the hostili~ ties would join the forces, From this estimated number of Vichy troops, 30,000 comprise Seno~ gelose, Syrians and Foreign Legion-fires fond between 10,000 and 15,000 French regulars United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.