TRIAL OF M. MANDEL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 5

TRIAL OF M. MANDEL.

THE FACTS OF THE CASE.

NO COMMUNICATIONS MADE.

(Received This Day, 10.5 a.m ) LONDON, July 29

Reports from Vichy indicate that M. Georges Mandel, former French Minister for the Interior, who is now being tried at Meknes, in French Morocco, is accused of having attempted to communicate with the British Minister of Information and Viscount Gort against the the interests of France.

The true facts, relating to. the visit of the British Minister to North'Africa were made known in authoritative circles in London this morning. Certain distinguished French statesmen were in North Africa after the collapse of France and Mr A. Duff-Cooper, who knew tliV.m [personally, accompanied Viscount Gort, flew to see them. On arrival the local authorities communicated to them that their visit would be unwelcome to the French statesmen concerned, whereupon they immediately returned to England without having any communications with the French Ministers. —British Official Wireless. SPECIAL COURT TO SIT. “POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE,” MENDEL FACES; DEATH PENALTY (Received This Dnv, 12.5 p.m.) VICHY, July 29. The Minister of Justice has recommended a special court to try the leaders for war guilt. The Magistrates will be “chosen for their political independence.” Those arraigned will include M. Daladier, General Gamolin, MM. Roynaud, Blum, Cot, Lachambre and Mandel, but M. Mandel is the only one likely to face a chargo carrying the death penalty. The others will face detention for life.