NEXT CHIEF OF FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 8

NEXT CHIEF OF FRANCE

Admiral Darlan Named In Vichy WIDE CABINET POWER

(By Telegraph. — Brens Ascsn. —Copyright.) LONDON, February 10.

A decree has been issued in Vichv providing for Admiral Darlan to take over the duties of the Chief of State should Marshal Petain “be prevented lor any teason from fulfilling his functions. Failing Admiral.Darlan, it is decreed, a person nominated by a majority of the Cabinet should carry on.

Admiral Darlan yesterday took over the office of Foreign Minister from M. Flaildin, and was nominated viee-l’re-mier as well as retaining bis post as Minister of the Navy. Reports from Vichy say that indications are that further Cabinet changes will not take place before the middle of this week, and that Admiral Darlan may take over a number of other Ministries. There is still no hint of M. Laval s intentions since he refused an offer by Marshal Petain to enter the Cabinet. 'The Toulouse radio said that M, Flandin resigned because of a personal campaign against him. A Paris Press announcer added: "A difficult situation has arisen in our relations with the occupying Power. While, under the Flandin policy, collaboration is being continued in technical matters, the German authorities still maintain their opposition in the political field.”