CRITICISM OF VICHY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23413, 21 August 1941, Page 5

CRITICISM OF VICHY

BREACH WITH PEOPLE

GROWING

“ DARLAN MISTRUSTED AND HATED”

(Received August 20, 9,20 p.m.)

(U.P.A.) LONDON, August 19. Further signs of the widening of the gulf between Vichy and the French people may be seen in the announcement that several French senators and deputies, long deprived of any parliamentary rights, have now been put under administrative arrest for open criticism of Marshal Petain’s Government.

This is reported by a correspondent of "The Times” who was formerly with the French forces. He adds that Admiral Darlan, ruling only through the power of his police, backed up by the Gestapo and the German Army, is mistrusted and hated.. Walls throughout France bear the inscription: “Down with Darlan."

linrshal Petain arouses mixed feelings of respect and pity, His influence is negative. He prevents or delays revolt, but is unable to create true collaboration. ' . Within the Government itself the men of Vichy dislike and mistrust one another. General Huntziger, Secretary for War Affairs, detests Admiral Darlan; the personal position of General Bergeret, the Air Minister, is precarious; M. Barthelemy, the Minister for Justice, is honest, but is regarded as uncourageous; General Nogues, Resi-dent-General in 'Morocco, is waiting, ready to support the strongest side. General Wcygand, Commander-in-Chief in North Africa, is the greatest Vichy enigma. It is believed that Admiral Darlan will not dare to take up arms against the Allies against the almost unanimous will of the French people. Vichy’s action in Syria is extremely unpopular, and relinquishment of the bases at Casablanca and Dakar to the Germans would be a challenge to the French nation and the French Army. Fears of Sabotage

The Vichy correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that a sabotage scare is gripping the Paris press as a result of sabotage to railways and factories. “L’Oeuvrc” declares that the workers are partly under the influence of Bolshevik and Free French propaganda, summoning them not to produce for Germany. 'This has brought about a state of affairs in French industry where the quality ( of work has gone down and productivity is low. Marshal Petain, addressing the Council of State in Vichy, when Ministers and officials swore allegiance to him personally; declared: ‘‘You are either for me or against me. The time for hedging is past. Only a few senseless persons dream of a return to the regime in which they were_ profiteers. I am convinced that the national revolution will triumph for a greater France and a greater Europe. A correspondent of “The Times on the French frontier quotes a Swiss dispatch from Berlin stating that the Germans have announced that French prisoners temporarily liberated for the harvest are now definitely free. More than 1,900,000 French prisoners are still in German camps, mostly engaged in harvesting or in factories. Because of the war against Britain and general requirements, it is impossible to grant further liberations.

SUBSERVIENCE TO

GERMANY

TROOPS REPATRIATED

FROM SYRIA

disclosure by free

FRENCH

(B 0.W.) RUGBY, August 19. Vichy’s dishonesty and her subservience to Germany, illustrated by the treatment of troops in Syria, are described by Free French headquarter^. In order 'to discourage these from joining the Free French forces. Vichy guaranteed to repatriate those who so desired direct to North Africa.... While the troops who had chosen this course were embarking, however, orders were received from Vichy that they were to go to Marseilles. . . . The only exception was in favour of a Senegalese contingent and a Madagascar detachment, but these had already embarked. A French admiral has informed Vichy that a serious disturbance is inevitable if the engagement to the troops is not fulfilled.

AN AMERICAN SPEAKS OF DEMOCRACY

“A FORCE ABLE TO RENEW

CIVILISATION”

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, August 19. In a broadcast address this evening, Mr Herbert Agar, editor of the “Louisville Courier” and chairman of the Fight, to Defend America Committee, who is visiting Britain, said: “Democracy has lost faith in itself because for many dreary years we refused to tell ourselves the truth but took refuge in the use of big words, most of which have been abused and none so much, as democracy. If we took it seriously, if we lived it, instead of talking it, democracy has still an almost magic pojver. It man’s ancient dream, always betrayed .but never forgotten, -which. still ( has the dynamic force to reconquer ourw9rld and renew civilisation. "Democracy is first of all a code of conduct, a rigorous way of life, dr else it is'nothing but windy promises. The war will not' be won by others but only by- the blood and toil of all of us who believe iif western civilisation. Reform within ourselves demands a rebirth of faith and a desird for decency so intense that it will drive ,us to heavy sacrifice.”

Brooklyn Waterfront Fire.—The deathrroll in the Brooklyn waterfront fire is now seven, with, others missing and 60 injured. The total damage is estimated at 2,000,000 dollars. Reports indicate that a dock employee, through smoking on the pier, ignited inflammable material.—New York, August 19.