DISPUTE IN VICHY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 117, 11 February 1941, Page 8

DISPUTE IN VICHY

Flandin Resigns From

Cabinet LETTER TO PETAIN

Issue Of Collaboration With Germany

i By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received February 10, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 10.

It was officially announced from Vichy yesterday that the Foreign Minister, M. Flandin, has resigned. The Vichy radio stated that Admiral Darlan replaces M. Flandin. He also becomes Vice-Premier and retains his naval portfolio. The campaign of vicious attacks on Marshal Petain and his Government is continuing.

The campaign o£ vicious attacks on Marshal Petain and his Government is continuing.

A communique to the Paris Press in which Al. Flandin’s resignation was announced, stated: “M. Flandin, who responded to the Marshal’s appeal when, at. a delicate moment, Marshal Petain asked for his collaboration, has considered it his duty to place the office at the disposal of Marshal Petain. This gives the great soldier complete liberty to take all measures required bv the present situation. ' “Admiral Darlan’s conversations in Paris after the recent interview between Marshal Petain and AL Laval at La Fertc gave the Montoire policy a new reality, and the situation thus created will probably lead to decisions in the near future.”

The “Montoire policy” means the one agreed to by .Marshal Petain and Herr Hitler at their meeting at Montoire. There the Marshal accepted the principle of French-German collaboration with adherence to the terms of the armistice.

M. Flandin’s letter of resignation to .Marshal Petain declared: “On December 1-1 you appointed me Minister of I-'oreign Affairs after events which concerned internal policy and in which I played no part. I gave myself to the tasks you laid down —put in effect the policy of collaboration regarding the armistice terms with dignity and honour. It did not rest with me whether the policy would be executed. The force of circumstances compels me to affirm tl Is fact. Therefore I ask you to accept my resignation.” Laval Refuses Offer. An earlier message stated that Marshal Petain announced that Al. Laval had refused to become Minister of State. This followed conferences between Admiral Darlan and members of Cabinet. It added that Al. Laval had been offered a place in a “Committee of Directives of State.”

The Vichy correspondent of the "Daily Express” stated that Admiral Darlan was in Paris on Friday discussing compromise proposals for Franco-German collaboration. The main difference was reported to be Admiral Darlan’s insistence that France must retain control of her navy and refuse to surrender the fleet or naval bases. He is believed to have threatened to scuttle the fleet rather than surrender.

In an article on the attitude of the Vichy Government entitled “In Dignity and Honour,” “Le Journal” says: “We are still the loyal guardians of our empire even at the price of our blood. Marshal Petain and the armistice saved three things—the freedom of France, the fleet, and the empire. "The fleet was rearmed to defend the empire. This appeared necessary even to our conquerors.” "Le Journal” quotes the Swiss newspaper “Basler Nachrichten” as saying I hat Marshal Petain in June might nave obtained more favourable conditions. but he preferred French honour. Today he will make no concession that would infringe the honour of 1-rance. "Le Journal” continues: “Our sentiments are unchanged. We are still ilte loyal guardians of our empire and shall remain so.”

Inquiries in Berne, Switzerland, on reports of disturbances in Vichy yes((■rday showed that French Embassy "liicials there talked to Vichy at 6 p.m. ■ •i! Saturday and that no disturbances :-ad occurred up to that hour. It was I'urther stated that rumours that Alar--iial Petain had flown to Africa had ■rtcn in circulation on Friday. The swiss trunk telephone exchange stated unit the line to Vichy was working normally.