"All At Sea"

Crew of French Liner Did Not Know What To Do

AN indication of the confusion and trouble into which the people of France were plunged by the unex pected capitulation of the Petain Gov ernment to Germany is provided by the case of a French liner, which recently arrived in an Australian port.

When France surrendered, this vessel, one of the Messageries Maritimes line, running between France and French colonies in the Pacific, via Panama Canal, was in an Eastern Pacific port, with passengers and cargo, bound west.

The crew was made up partly of Frenchmen, who have their homes in Southern France, and partly of Mada gascan natives. The members of the crew argued hotly for some days. They could not decide whether to take the ship back to France, so as to be with their families, or to continue their voyage, with a view to allying them selves with the British. Finally, it was decided to continue the voyage.

But the arguments continued, and the position became acute. Finally, the liner was taken into a British port in the Central Pacific; and British officers and bluejackets, acting with the great est consideration for everyone concerned, went aboard and quietly took control.

The liner went on to a French port, where certain arrangements were made and then, with the local manager of the M.M. Line aboard, she proceeded to an Australian port.

The French officers and crew were allowed a completely free choice, as to whether they would remain with the vessel, or be returned to France. It is expected that the vessel itself will be placed under Admiralty control for the duration of the war.