DEVELOPMENTS IN VICHY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 7

DEVELOPMENTS IN VICHY

Control of Bases In Africa

PETAIN’S VIEWS ON DEMAND

(Received August 6, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, August 6. Although the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) said in Washington yesterday that he hoped to receive direct assurances from Vichy that thq French Government would reject any Axis demands for military concessions in French African territories, there has been no report of any such assurances. A message from Vichy says that Admiral Darlan is taking full responsibility for Vichy’s general policy in Africa. Marshal Petain, in a decree announced that Admiral Darlan is sending directions to General Weygand by which General Weygand is compelled to v/ork under Admiral Darlan. It is reported from the French frontier that the latest developments in Vichy are interpreted as a considerable success for supporters of a wait-and-see policy over those favouring collaboration.

Vichy is expected to accede to the German requirements regarding Cabinet changes, but it is understood that Marshal Petain intends to maintain his rejection of the German demand for collaboration in North Africa. French- industrialists are believed to be wondering if they backed the right horse in expecting a German victory, and to be now considering how secure is the position either way. . In this connexion, information reaching London indicates that the Vichy Cabinet meeting last Saturday was stormy because of differences of opinion as to the prospects of a German victory against Russia. The French uncertainty is evidenced by reports of widespread sabotage. According to the Moscow radio, French guerrillas derailed a train with 15 petrol waggons bound for Germany and also destroyed 200 German lorries and an oil depot. In addition, big German army petrol stocks have disappeared at Roulers, in Belgium. An official statement has been issued by Vichy in reply to comment by the United Staes Under-Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) on the agreement with Japan over Indo-China. The statement said that Mr Welles had expressed doubt as to whether the Vichy authorities would resist an attack on their Empire. The gallant resistance of the French troops in Syria had provided an answer to that. In Syria, France had had fairly strong forces, but the meagre forces stationed in Indo-China could not withstand such pressure from outside. The occupation of Indo-China by Japanese troops had in no way detracted from French rights.

BLOCKADE OF EUROPE

STEPS TAKEN BY BRITAIN

LONDON, August 5.

In the House of Commons the Minister for Economic Warfare (Dr. Hugh Dalton) reaffirmed that while the British Government appreciated the sufferings of the people of Greece, it was unable to relax the blockade on any part of enemy-occupied Europe. It is authoritatively announced that Finland has been blockaded since June 14. When Britain learned early last June that a substantial number of German troops were being stationed in Finland, instructions were issued on June 14 that, until further notice, no more navicerts should be granted to vessels bound for Finland. At the same time it was arranged with the Admiralty that Finnish ships which had already sailed and had been intercepted should be taken to British ports and should be refused clearances.'

The position continued to deteriorate, and on June 20 all navicert applications and all export licences were refused. Every possible step in the blockade was taken against Finland without awaiting the niceties of breaking off diplomatic relations.

HITLER'S END SEEN NEAR

BROADCAST BY DUTCH PREMIER

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, August 5. "Hitler is beginning to see the writing on the wall seen by the Babylonian tyrant Belshazzar: ‘God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it,’” said the Netherlands Prime Minister (Dr. G'erbrandy), in a broadcast from England. Among all the Allied Governments there is not a single person who would parley with Herr Hitler and his conspirators, Dr. Gerbrandy added. Although the Netherlands hadnnto t diplomatic relations with the Bolshevist Russians, rubber, tin, bauxite, coffee, and tea from the kingdom of the Netherlands would contribute to the support of these latest victims of Herr Hitler’s shameless thirst for world domination.

CHILD ENDOWMENT IN AUSTRALIA

Political Upheaval

Threatened

OBJECTION TO FINANCING OF SCHEME

(Received August 7, 12.5 a.m.) SYDNEY. August 6,

Members of the Federal Labour Party are again threatening a political upheaval, this time over the method of the Federal Treasurer (Mr A. W. Fadden) of the financing of child endowment. Mr Fadden wishes, to abolish the statutory income tax deduction of £SO in respect of children for whom child endowment is being paid. He claims this should apply to last year’s income when child endowment did not exist. He hopes by this to derive an additional £2,000,000 for the coming Budget. Prominent Labour members who are waging a fierce controversy describe the proposal as a confidence trick and are arguing that the Government’s action would largely counteract the social benefits of endowment. They also declare that with the aid of an independent member, Mr Wilson, they will turn the Government out of office if it comes to a show-down. The Leader of the Federal Labour .Party (Mr J. Curtin), who has just returned to Melbourne from Western Australia after a month’s holiday, takes the stand that the allowance of £SO should not be abolished, either in respect of last year’s income or in the future.