LAVAL’S POWERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 5

LAVAL’S POWERS

RETAIN APPEALS TO FRENCHMEN BROADCAST BY DARLAN FROM ALGIERS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19. Vichy has been occupied all day trying to explain that Marshal Petain’s grant of arbitrary powers to M. Laval has changed M. Laval's position little, but the Berlin radio gave the game away when it announced that the importance of M- Laval's new powers was that he could pass laws not in accordance with the Constitution. “The Times, ’’ in a leading article says: “M. Laval, lacking every element of power or prestige which the confidence of any large body of his countrymen could bestow, is a paper dictator—more substantial than Norway's Quisling, but as dependent on foreign bayonets to maintain him in office. He is the tool of the men of Berlin. “Behind M. Laval is Hitler, and whatever strength M. Laval may possess is drawn not from France, but from Germany.” Marshal Petain, broadcasting, said: “Generals in the service of foreign Powers have refused to obey my orders. French officers and soldiers, do not obey your unworthy chief* in Africa, You must resist Anglo-Saxon aggression. "We are living through tragic hours. Disorder reigns in our minds. Do not listen to news that has the single aim of dividing and weakening you. If you refuse to obey my orders you endanger your country. "In the interests of France I decided to extend M. Laval’s powers to allow him to fulfil his difficult task. Unity is more necessary than ever. I remain your guide. You have but one duty—to obey. You have but one Government, and one Fatherland, of which I am the embodiment.” Admiral Dalian, broadcasting over the Algiers radio, declared; “In the position of High Commissioner which I have assumed in agreement with the American authorities, I am executing orders which Marshal Petain gave me when he was able to express himself in freedom and was able to maintain the unity and sovereignty of France. I am assisted in my heavy task by those whom Marshal Petain placed in administrative positions, and who are patriotically supporting me. They will possess a large degree of autonomy under my supreme authority. I will lay down general lines of action in conformity with the principles of Marshal Lyautey. "We hope that France and the Empire may play a part in the present conflict and contribute to the defence and liberation of French territory. This is the task of Frenchmen in Africa. I have given them as a leader General Giraud, who is greatly respected and admired. We have the support of the majority of Frenchmen in the Homeland. France will be saved by her Empire.” The Italian Steflini News Agency quotes a report that the commander of the French aircraft-carrier Bearn, which is anchored off Martinque, has arrived in North Africa to join the Allies, The Agency added that the report could not be confirmed in Vichy. The Vichy radio has announced that 75,000 French workers have left voluntarily for Germany since June 1.

GERMAN MARCH INTO VICHY FRANCE

HOSTILITY SHOWN BY PEOPLE LONDON, Nov. 19. Scenes in unoccupied France when the Germans marched in have been described by a prominent French trade union leader who has escaped to Britain. The Germans were given a cold reception when they marched through Lyons, ho said. Frequently they were given wrong directions, causing traffic jams. There were three explosions in the city, one of which was at a hotel where the German staff was staying, French soldiers were sent a few miles away so that they would not come into contact with the Germans. He revealed that after the crash in France of a British aircraft returning from a raid on Genoa, 6000 French people from 20 miles roilnd filed past the coffins of the crew. Seventeen thousand francs were subscribed for wreaths, one of which bore the inscription, "These men died for the freedom of the world.” A village school teacher took her pupils along to the funeral and they sang "God Save the King” and the "Marstillaise.” The trade union leader said that the French were watching events in North Africa with the deepest interest. The Americans had become the heroes of the whole of the French people.

PREVENTION OF AXIS ACTIVITIES

ARGENTINE MINISTER’S ACTION ißec. 6,30 p.m.) NEW YORK. Nov. 19. The Argentine Minister of the Interior '(Dr. Miguel Culaciati) has instructed the Governments of the 14 Argentine provinces to take strict measures to prevent Axis activities that might be possibly detrimental to the individual and collective security of the American Republics. The Buenos Aires correspondent of the “New York Times” says this is the first time that Argentina has adopted a measure of this nature against the Axis. It is believed that it is the first tangible result of the American memorandum to Argentina outlining the activities of Axis agents.

DISCUSSION OF ARMY TRAINING

HOUSE OF COMMONS PLANS (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Nov. 19. The Lord Privy Seal (Sir Stafford Cripps) announcing the business for the next series of sittings of the House of Commons, said the debate on the Address-in-Reply would be continued and on the first day there would be a debate in secret sitting on an amendment relating to the organisation and training of the Army. On the second day there would be a debate on an amendment relating to equal compensation for women, and on the third day colonial development would be debated. In the following series of sittings there would be a two days’ debate on planning i and post-war reconstruction. Values of Sea Power.—Admiral Harold R. Stark, United States naval commander in European waters, speaking in London, said: “To-day we are witnessing the greatest example of the influence of sea power the world has ever seen. Sea power alone cannot win the war, but it alone can make it possible for us to bring the necessary men, ships, equipment, food, and all the things necessary to win the war to the vital theatres.” One lesson stood out crystal clear, he said, and that was that as the United Nations were strong on the sea and in the air over the sea, so they should be strong everywhere. —Rugby, November 19.