VICHY LEADERS STAND GROUND?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 309, 30 December 1940, Page 7

VICHY LEADERS STAND GROUND?

GERMAN DEMANDS. Reported Refusal To Hand Over Fleet.. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 10 a.m.) LONDON", Dec. 29. Obscurity still cloaks the situation in Franco, but all sources indicate that the Vichy Government continues strongly to resist German attempts to exceed the terms of the armistice. The Vichy radio announced to-day that the Cabinet had discussed the report that Admiral Darlan brought from Paris and had arrived at certain decisions. " The Free French news agency says tlie French Minister for the Navv, Admiral Darlan, during his visit to Paris, conveyed to Hitler the refusal of the Vichy Government to surrender the French Fleet, and also submitted a number of questions.

According to the Lisbon correspondent of the Associated Press, a number of French naval units have already gone to Xortli Africa from Toulon. Two submarines have passed through the ■Strait of Gibraltar, presumably with British consent, and ostensibly bound for Casablanca. A number of aeroplanes have flown in the e-ame direction. The Br'tish Broadcasting Corporation says it is believed the crisis caused by the German demands may be reaching a climax. The Vichy Cabinet met under Marshal Petain on Saturday night, and in a communique issued after the meeting it was announced that various subjects were disciiase 1 and had been deferred for further deliberation. The Cabinet would meet again on Monday afternoon. Marshal Petain is said to have refused Hitler's demands for the French Fleet, and other matters concerning France's part in the war. The Marshal is reported to have said that if he acceded to these demands he could not answer for Xorth Africa The '"Daily Telegraph" Lisbon cor ret?pondoni says the Germans are reported to be on the point of invading unoccupied France, and aeroplanes are waiting at Vlcliy to convoy Marshal Petain and his Government to Africa should Germany move.

Reports from several independent sources state that French troops have embarked at Mar.-eilles for ports in French Morocco and Tunisia. The purpose, it is believed, is to effect a union with the colonial armies under fJeneral Weygand, ith Marshal Petain's tacit approval. Sweeping Demands. The Lisbon correspondent of the "Daily Express" states that the German demands which Marshal Petain rejected included: — (1) The French Xavv and mercantile marine to be placed at the disposal of Italy. (2) Germany to occupy the French Mediterr; nean naval bases of Toulon and Marseilles, with a corridor leading to them across unoccupied France. (3) France to hand over Bizerta (the former French naval base in Tuuisia) for 4he use o? the Italian Xavy. (4) Demobilisation of General Weygand's Xorth African and Syrian armies. Admiral Darlan travelled from Vichy to Paris, where he presented to the German Ambassador, Otto Abetz, Marshal Petain's reply to the German demands. Abetz forwarded the French reply to tVe German Foreign Minister, Ribbentrop, and a copy was sent to Hitler in northern France. The Vichy Cabinet agreed upon its reply to the German demands after discussions lasting three days. The Stuttgart radio warned the French that Hitler w : as giving them a last clit-nce to "collaborate with the victor in reorganising Euro|>e." If they did not seize the opportunity, it would go hard with them, radio added, Ratings for Algiers. A large number of naval ratings from unoccupied France will shortly land in Algiers "on leave," says the' "Sunday Times," but the radio at Algiers states that they are going to Xorth Africa for a year's staj-.

"llie Times" diplomatic correspondent states that tho Germans are apparently finding Admiral Darlan a tougher nut than Laval, above all on naval questions. Possession of southern France would not be of economic advantage to the Germans, who would run the grave risk of the French Navy escaping and Marshal Petain establishing a Government in North Africa. The German-controlled Paris radio today complained about the strong antiGerman feeling in occupied France, and said that somehow the country must get rid of such j>enple who, "throush snobbery or stupidity, side with the worst enemiss of France."