FRENCH FLEET

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 81, 30 December 1940, Page 7

FRENCH FLEET

Conjectured Demands Qn Vichy STRONG RESISTANCE Some Units Said To Have Left Home Port (By Telegraph.—Press Assu.— Copyright.) (Received December 29, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 28. Obscurity still cloaks the French situation, but all sources indicate that members of the Vichy Government continue strongly to resist the German attempts to exceed the provisions of the armistice. M. Philippe Barnes, former editor of "Le Matin” and “ParisSoir.” in an article in the “Sunday Times,” says that the Germans are striving to impose on Vichy measures which would place the French Empire in their hands before the Free French and British forces made decisive progress. “Herr Hitler will not attempt appropriation of the French Empire because he knows that the empire will surrender to Britain rather, than accept German domination,” he adds.

The Free French news agency says that the Minister of the Navy, Admiral Darlan, has conveyed to Fieri- Hitler a refusal by the Vichy Government to surrender the French fleet.

The Lisbon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says a number of French naval units have already gone to North Africa from Toulon. LONDON, December 27.

It is reported from Vichy that important negotiations between France and Germany are proceeding, hi which developments are imminent which are likely to affect vitally France’s domestic status and also her relations with the Axis.

The Vichy Ambassador at Washington is reported to have told Mr. Welles, Assistant Secretary of State, that M. Laval’s dismissal from office has removed any danger that might have existed of Martinique being used by the Axis as a base against the United States. •Admiral Darlan Busy. It is expected that more information about the situation in Vichy will bo available in Washington after the new United States Ambassador, Admiral Leahy, has had time to draw up a report. He is now on his way to France in the cruiser Tuscaloosa.

The future of the French navy is of almost as vital interest to the United States as it is to Britain. Admiral Darlan returned only yesterday from _ a visit to Paris, the purpose of which has not been revealed. It is suggested that he saw Herr Abetz, Hitler’s representative in occupied France, but this is not known. It is known that on his return ho had long conferences with Marshal Petain and other members of the Vichy Cabinet. One of the colleagues he saw was M. Peyrouton, who played so big a part in the fall of M. Laval.

Tlie general belief is that Admiral Darlan’s mission was concerned with the German demands for naval help from France which have been keeping Vichy in a state of crisis for many days.

The Algerian radio announced that a considerable number of French naval personnel are to be sent: to North Africa on leave, which apparently is to last for a whole year. This may mean that steps are being taken to remove part of the French navy from Germany’s reach.