VICHY AGENTS IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 7

VICHY AGENTS IN AMERICA

Creating Sentiment For

Nazi Order

(Received August 31, 11.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 31.

The New York “Herald-Tribune” sensationally published a story of the operations of a clique of Vichy agents “working under the direct control” of M. Henry Haye, the-French Ambassador to Washington, whose activities are allegedly designed to create sentiment for the Nazi new order. The Washington correspondent of the paper says the men of Vichy there have actually thwarted British i military moves. For instance, he says, advance plans of General de Gaulle’s ill-fated Dakar expedition were smuggled to Vichy via New York) likewise a list of French officers aiding the Free French movement. 7 , The present programme of Vichy s underground organization in the United States specifically aims at the creation of a network to bring Vichy’s message of defeatism before the isolationists. There is evidence of such activities being financed through United States willingness not to freeze French funds and placate Vichy, hoping somehow that the Petain Government will be won away from collaboration with Herr Hitler. , _ The “Herald-Tribune” learns that the amount unfrozen exceeds 1,000,000 dollars monthly.

AMERICAN POLICY

De Gaulle And Naval Bases NEW YORK, August 29. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Post” says that it is learned that President Roosevelt decided a week ago that he would not extend anj sort of public recognition to General de Gaulle. ' u , ' Many officials felt the moment had come to give recognition, but President Roosevelt decided against it, thus accepting tho views of the United. States Ambassador, Admiral Leahy, that such recognition would alienate Vichy and the French authorities in Africa. Therefore observers thought that the denial by the Secretary of State, Mr. Hull, of an offer of bases was “technical sophistry.” [Last Wednesday Mr. Hull, referring to a “New York Post” message from Brazzaville, in which General de Gaulle was quoted as having offered the United States naval bases as a counter to Dakar, said he had never heard of such an offer. The Brazzaville correspondent of the London “Daily Telegraph also reported that General de Gaulle in an interview revealed that the offer had been made. It involved the principal ports in French Equatorial Africa.]

AID OF AMERICA

Mr. Fraser Declares New Zealand Grateful

(Received August 31, 6.30 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, August 30. New Zealand was grateful for the aid America was extending to the British Dominions, said the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in a broadcast address last night. Victory for the Nazi and Fascist tyrants would mean that no country, no people and no free men and women would be safe. _ Mr. Fraser arrived at Malton airport, Toronto, today, and will inspect the Commonwealth air training schools. He will then visit Ottawa and Montreal.

OPPOSING STRIKES

New Zealand Policy Cited In U.S.A. NEW YORK, August 29. The “World Telegram,” in an editorial, says: “Mr. Peter Fraser, Prime Minister of New- Zealand, holds that workers ought not to strike in any circumstances in wartime He gives us facts which explain why New Zealand is neither hampered by a succession of strikes nor by the muddled theory that labour must bo allowed full opportunity to profit by the national peril This is a factual lesson from me Antipodes which the United States need neither overlook nor scorn.”

BRITISH POLICY

Lindbergh Accusation

(Received August 31, 7 p.m.) OKLAHOMA CITY, August 30.

Mr. Charles Lindberg, delivering a speech at an American First Committee rally in the baseball park outside the city' limits (having been denied the use of the municipal auditorium), said lie considered it possible that England might turn against the United States before the war ended, “as she has turned against France and Finland.” Mr. Lindberg referred those who "question my words” to the history of the relations between the United States and England in the last 150 years. He questioned the integrity of the leadership of Britain, and added: “She will turn against us if it becomes expedient to her welfare in the future.”