UPROAR AT LAVAL TRIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1945, Page 5

UPROAR AT LAVAL TRIAL

Abused Ordered Out

JUDGE JOINS IN STORMY EXCHANGES

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright—Rec. 1 p.m. PARIS, Oct. 4. The first day of the trial on a high treason charge of Pierre Laval, former Prime Minister of Vichy France, ended in uproar with Judge Mongibeaux ordering the accused from the Court and announcing that the trial would continue to-morrow without Laval being present. The judge later reversed his decision and said that Laval could appear in Court to-morrow, but if there was a repetition of to-day's disturbances he would again be expelled. There was a series of extremely heated exchanges between Laval and Judge Mongibeaux, ending with Laval shouting, "All right, condemn me now—at least the situation will then be clear." The charges against Laval include plotting against the security of the State by hindering the Government's move to North Africa, suppressing the Constitution of the Republic, creating an authoritarian regime, encouraging racial antagonism, contributing to the loss of France's merchant and naval fleets, intelligence with the enemy by negotiating with the Germans, organising the shipment of slave labour to the Reich, declaring "I desire victory for Germany," and facilitating the landing of Axis troops to oppose the Allies in North Africa. Lawyers For Defence "Resign" Laval faces a jury drawn from the same panel as that which last night condemned to death Joseph Darnand, former Chief of the Vichy Militia. The trial began sensationally when the defence lawyers attempted to resign as a protest over what they called an illegal pre-trial and examination of their client. There were tumultous scenes as Laval shouted, "I am a patriot and I will prove it." Judge Mongibeaux, the Public Prosecutor, Maitre Andre Mornet and all jurors joined in jumping to their feet to shout Laval down. The judge silenced Laval. After the angry exchange M. Mornet rose to protest against the defence allegations. Laval, glaring with hatred at M. Mornet, shouted, "You can condemn me, but you have no right to insult me." The judge tried to speak, but his voice was drowned by cries from the packed gallery. The police hurried to Laval, who apologised. Judge Mongibeaux suspended the session at 2 p.m. after a further disturbance in which he refused to let Laval speak. After two adjournments, during which the Court found it impossible to persuade or order Laval's counsel to resume the defence, and refused Laval's application for a postponement, the accused re-entered the Court. Counsel refused to continue their defence on the ground that they had insufficient time to prepare the case. Judge Mongibeaux then announced the trial would continue without defence counsel. They had been given two months and a half to prepare the case, and he was convinced they could present an adequate defence if they wanted to. Laval then declared that he would conduct his own defence. Defence counsel later agreed to resume. "Lebrun Should Be In The Dock

In a statement to the Court, Laval said that, when he reached Bordeaux in 1940, the decision to sign the armistice had already been taken, and it was the President, Albert Lebrun, and others who should be in the dock and not he. The accused added that he told them there could be no two opinions about the armistice, which was a question for the military authorities.

Laval said he had three main policies:—(l) Never to declare war against the Anglo-Saxons; (2) never to accept German rule; (3) never to allow adventurers to take office. Asked why he had counselled M. Lebrun not to go to North Africa, Laval said: "I thought going to Africa would be madness. The Spanish Government would have welcomed the Germans, who would have struck through Spain, and the French could not have prevented the invasion of Africa. Attempting to justify his acts of collaboration, Laval declared that he was working under the noses of the Germans and collaboration was his only course. Laval then asked the Court to adjourn because he was too tired to proceed. He began repeating his former argument that the trial should be postponed to enable him to prepare his case. Judge Mongibeaux and Laval then began a heated discussion across the Court, each talking furiously. The judge finally shouted, "If you interrupt again you willberemoved Laval broke in angrily, upon which the judge shouted. Take him out." Laval shrugged his shoulders and replied, I will go out myself." . . . The sitting ended with the judge ordering the arrest of the son of M. Pierre Cathala, one of Laval s former Ministers, who, as a spectator, applauded Laval s remark, Ai rg, , condemn me now—at least the situation wdl then be clear.