LAVAL’S TEAM

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 174, 20 April 1942, Page 6

LAVAL’S TEAM

Keeping Power In His Own Hands MAINLY OBSCURE FIGURES

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Received April 19, 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 18. The,new Cabinet'has been announced in Vichy. It comprises: M. Pierre Laval: Chief of the Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Interior and Information. M. Barthelemy: Minister of Justice. General Bridoux: Minister of War. Admiral Aiipliand: Minister of the General Jeanne Quin: Minister of Air.

M. Paul .Marion: Minister of Propa'ganda. M. George Hilare: Minister of the Interior and the Prefecture. M. Rene Bosquet: Secretary for Police. M. Pierre Cathala: Minister of Finance. M. Hubert la Gardeile: Minister of Labour. ,M. Brevie: Minister of the Colonies. M. Abel Bonnard: Minister of Education. M. Francois le Milieux: Minister of Industrial Production. M. Raymond Grasset: Minister of Health. M. Gibrat: Minister of Communica-

tions. M. Max Bonnafous: Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies.M. Jacques Barnaul!: Delegate-Gen-eral for Franco-German Economic Relations. M. Lucien Romier: Minister without portfolio. .Count de Brinon, Admiral Platon and JIM. Benoist Mecliin and Gueraro become Secretaries of State to M. Laval. Admiral Darlan's name is omitted from the list, but M. Marion issued a statement saying that he still remains Marshal Petain’s designated successor as Chief of the French State and is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, having the right io attend meetings of the Council of Ministers at which questions relating to his office are discussed. President Laval. -President Laval will be responsible to Marshal Petain and will assume the direction of the tone of foreign policy,” M. Marion stated. The Vichy news agency says that Admiral Darlan remains the second personage in the State as the successor to Marshal Petain, and M. Laval is the third personage. Informed circles in London are of the opinion that the names show that Laval intends to keep power mainly in his own hands. Most of the Ministers arb not known to the average Frenchman. Marion and the Fascist Cathala have been in two previous Laval Cabinets. Benoist Mechin lias a sinister record. Free French circles say: -Laval has chosen mostly men whose German sympathies are not too well known in the hope of placating America, but at least they are known among Free Frenchmen in connexion with the Paris quisling clique.”

DE GAULLE COMMENT

Promotions By Hitler

(British Official Wireless.) (Received April 19, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, April 18.

The French Government changes leave four key posts in Laval’s hands, as he holds all-important portfolios. The Free French leader, General de Gaulle, has expressed the general opinion prevailing here when he said in a broadcast to the French nation tonight i hat the new Government was just another stage in the game Hitler started playing against France and the world in June, 1940. ’’Apparently,” said General 'de Gaulle, ‘’Hitler has decreed certain transfers and promotions among the Vichy traitors. We were expecting this formality. The position in which Ids armies are placed has now led him to strengthen the guarantees he received some months ago fro,m unworthy military and political leaders regarding our territory, lleet and empire. He now thinks lit to have recourse to men who are still more obviously unworthy.” After vehemently criticizing the Vichy leaders, General 'de Gaulle concluded: ’’Today the duty of all French men and women is exactly the same as yesterday, but more obvious. It is to struggle actively by every possible means both against the enemy himself, and against the men of Vichy, who are the enemy’s accomplices. The French people have begun to show how and why Hitler was mistaken concerning them. We believe they will continue tins demonstration. Hitler may lie beaten because he thought he could dispose of France.”

RECEPTION OF NOTE

Downright U.S. Attitude LONDON, April 17. The United States Under-Secretary of Slate. Air. Sumner Welles, has disclosed that the latest Vichy Note had the German Government’s approval before, it was sent to Washington. The Note dealt with American recognition of Free French Equatorial Africa, ami Mr. has commented on it in downright terms "as the most amazing incident that conceivably has taken place during the 150 years of relations between France ami the United States.” Any document over which the German Government had been consulted was entirely unacceptable to the United States Government, said Mr. Welles.

Afer announcing that IT-esiden ; . Jtoosevelt had instructed the Ambassador to Vichy to return for consultations, Mr. 'Welles said that. Admiral l.cahy was unable to leave Vichy immediately because his wife was ill. The Washington correspondent of the New York ‘‘Herald Tribune” says that in view of the Franco-American tension the White House has made preparations to take whatever action is neces-

sary regarding French possessions In the Western Hemisphere, including Martinique. British and American naval authorities have completed detailed plans for dealing with the French lleet if it is surrendered to the Nazis. The Associated Press says that definite clarification of Franco-American relations will be forthcoming tomorrow. ,-ind also says that a high Government source indicated that a break' cannot be averted. In London, Mr. E. L. Granville, M.l’.. in a speech, said that Laval is waiting to baud over French participation in the war mi a plate to Hiller, his sponsor mill master, ami added. "Dq the Allies move first. The Middle Fast is the key. Malta and Madagascar are vital to our communications. The Axis will attempt to make a pincer move-

mein against Suez ami the Allies’ sea power must light against, this danger. There can be no long-term defensive policy.”

He urged that party ties should tie abandoned ami every! hing sacrificed I" ginger up the Miuisleis. There should be a t'omttmii wea II h War Cubmet in l.omloli. ami a <’ommoiiwealth General St a IT should replace I lie Dominions’ a ml Colonial ami India Oliices. Io obtain Hie maximum war effort.