RULE OF TERROR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 178, 24 April 1942, Page 7

RULE OF TERROR

Purge Of Free French In Madagascar

ELUSIVE VICTIMS OF LAVAL

(Received April 23, 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 22.

“Orders which were flashed from Laval’s headquarters have resulted in a rule of terror throughout Madagascar,” says a “Daily Express” correspondent at Antananarivo in a dispatch which has been smuggled to South Africa. “The police in Madagascar, under orders from agents of the Gestapo, are trying to round up the remainder of the de Gaullists, hundreds of whom were arrested after Japan broke into the Indian Ocean, “The Secretary-General to the Government is among those who have been imprisoned. Any official who expresses an opinion against Italy or Germany is dismissed. The entire white population, consisting of about 35,000 officials and settlers, is kept under the strictest watch, and-small craft are guarded. “Nevertheless, the Free French supporters are constantly frustrating the Administration, and a new channel of escape opens as soon as another closes. One party which, recently escaped from Tamatave, first plastered the town with anti-Axis signs. German agents who have been detached from Fifth Column work in South Africa watch every movement of the Governor, M. Annet, who took over the rule of the island last year after the recall of his pre decessor, de Coppet. “In the meantime, the few battalions of French coloured troops on the island could not hope to resist a Japanese landing, and Vichy cannot give any help. Thus Madagascar, which cannot be defended against a Japanese invasion, is the prize of the first-comer.”

JOBS FOR HENCHMEN Laval’s Reorganization In France LONDON, April 22. M. Laval has already made rapid progress in reorganizing France for closer collaboration with Germany. Berlin radio said today that the reorganization would require new men in entire agreement with Laval’s principles. One of Laval’s first acts on taking over the Ministry of the Interior in addition to the Premiership was to replace the Controller-General of the French police who arrested Laval in December, 1940. He has now ordered a comb-out of the police in unoccupied France. Laval has also ordered a purge of the information and propaganda services and of the prefects responsible for local administration. The German military commander in Paris stated today that French civilians have handed over the culprit responsible for attacks on April 20 against German soldiers in Paris, the population having shown its willingness to co-operate to prevent reprisals. The commander announced that he has ordered that 20 Communists and Jews, who were held collectively responsible for the attack, are not to be shot. His order closing places of entertainment is cancelled, and. the usual Curfew is again established. The commander disclosed that a great number of attacks have been made against German soldiers. Other German authorities announced that 15 .Jews and Communists have been executed as a reprisal for attacks against German soldiers this month. Paris radio stated that a sergeant of the French Volunteer Legion (against Russia) was shot in Paris on April 20.

DIPLOMATS RESIGN

Frenchmen In Washington Embassy

WASHINGTON, April 22.

The United Press says that four members of the staff of the French Embassy, Counsellor Deon Marchal, first secretary, Baron James Baeyens, vice-consul, M. Andre Fiot. chief of the code room, and M. Charles Benoit, have resigned as a protest against Laval’s leadership. The State Department has been advised informally of the resignations of Counsellor Marchal and Baron Baeyens. M. Marchal said he felt that the Laval Government did not represent the will of the French people. Laval was just a German agent, and had been designated by the Germans to hold France in line for them. Asked regarding the resignations of the French officials, the Secretary of State said he had just heard of them, but was uot in a position to comment. Mr. Hull expressed the fullest confidence in* the patriotism, wisdom and love of liberty of the French people, and said that in the light of these characteristics it was tragic to see the attempted seizure of the leadership of the French people by elements at Vichy which avowedly favoured surrender to the Axis. The Vichy news agency says that Admiral Leahy, United States Ambassador, who has been recalled to Washington for consultation, will leave for America at the beginning of next month.