MAY BE IMMINENT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 171, 16 April 1942, Page 5

MAY BE IMMINENT

American Break With Vichy FALSE ASSURANCE BY HAYE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received April 15, 8.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 15. The shake-up in the Vichy Cabinet would necessitate a complete re-examination of the United States relations with France with a rupture of the relations an imminent possibility, said a diplomatic spokesman today. The State Department, he said, has not yet received official notification of Laval’s return to power, but when the report of the United States Ambassador in Vichy, Admiral Leahy, arrived the department would probably ask Vichy’s Ambassador in Washington, M. Henry Haye, for a full explanation. It- is also expected to demand additional guarantees that the recent accord reached witli M. Haye would not be jeopardized by the new French Cabinet. That accord is understood to have been reached only after French assurances had been received that Laval would not return to power and also pledges by Vichy not to exceed the terms of tlie German armistice in aiding tlie Axis.

“Thirty Pieces Of Silver.”

In the House of Representatives today Representative Page described Laval as an enemy of all free people. "Today a traitor has received his 30 pieces of silver,” he said. He urged closer co-opcration between the United States and the Free French, including the occupation of strategic French possessions. Representative Gossett predicted tlie complete inglorious end of the French Republic if the French Fleet were handed over to Germany. Representative Faddis said that no policy of appeasement could be successful, and he demanded that the United States, by force if necessary, seize all French possessions necessary for the successful prosecution of the war. Vichy's Angry Tone. Tlie Vichy news agency, commenting today on rhe American Note with reference to the appointment of an American consul to Brazzaville, in French Equatorial Africa, says: "The French Government will not accept the Note, which is drafted in insulting terms, tending to discredit before the world the conduct of French citizens, who do not require lessons in patriotism from a foreigner.” The agency statement expresses the opinion that the American Note was designed for propaganda purposes in an attempt to create trouble.

[The United States Note was in reply to a French protest against the creation of tlie consulate in the Free French territory.]

Tonight tlie Vichy Government suddenly withdrew without explanation the agency’s truculent comment. It is reported, however, to have been reissued later tonight.