Evening Post WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1940. VICHY IN THE VICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 99, 23 October 1940, Page 8

Evening Post WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1940. VICHY IN THE VICE

Mr. Churchill's broadcast address on Monday night to Frenchmen in the French language, as well as in English, was even more timely than we suggested yesterday. It was not that it was given on Trafalgar Day; that was a coincidence, not an occasion, to be avoided rather than chosen, had certain pressing circumstances, known apparently to Mr. Churchill and his colleagues, but not to the outside world, permitted a postponement. Today these circumstances are revealed in news of great importance. The German wireless announced last night (European time) that Herr Hitler had received M. Laval, Vice-Premier of the Vichy Government, in Berlin, Herr yon Ribbentrop, the German Foreign Minister, being present at the meeting. The announcement follows reports from several fairly reliable sources that Germany has been pressing France to declare war on Britain and is prepared to grant a final armistice settlement on that condition, France to surrender AlsaceLorraine, Nice, Tunis, and Jibuti, and the Axis Powers not to take anything else from France and her overseas empire. There is further evidence in the remarks of a spokesman in Berlin hinting at a new development jin the war as the result of which there would be collaboration between the German, Italian, and French forces for a decisive blow against Britain for the mastery of the sea. The Vichy Foreign Minister (M. Baudouin), who is associated by report with M. Laval in the rapprochement with the Axis, is said to have declared, in an interview, that "failure to collaborate with the Germans would be insane, imbecile, and absurd."

These, then, in outline, are the circumstances which Mr. Churchill must have had in mind in his appeal to Frenchmen. His motive was not so much fear of the consequences of the new development to Britain, which is quite prepared to face with equanimity any collaboration of Vichy with the Axis in an attempt to wrest from her the command of the sea. In many respects such collaboration would simplify the existing situation to Britain's advantage. His real motive was a profound sympathy with the French people in the plight to which they have been reduced by the sinister clique which has seized power, and a sincere desire to save them from being dragged down deeper into the mire of dishonour and infamy by the actions of these same "Vichy men." This thread of feeling and thought may be traced throughout Mr. Churchill's address, which is an appeal to all that is noble in the French people and to the spirit of their ancestors. Britain has no sordid aims in this war. "We do not covet anything from any nation," said Mr. Churchill, "except their respect." What is it that Britain asks of Frenchmen?., In Mr. Churchill's words, it is this: What we ask at this moment in our struggle to win the victory is that if you cannot help us, at least you will not hinder us. Presently you will be able to weight the arm that strikes for you, and you ought to do so. How are Frenchmen responding, in France, occupied and unoccupied, and-in the French empire overseas? The same news that chronicles the Hitler-Laval interview cites ample evidence of the reawakening of France and the growing sympathy of the Erench people with Britain in her resistance to the common foe. The underground movement against the Nazi oppressor is spreading and General de Gaulle's cause of Free France is winning increasing support everywhere. In the face of this and the attitude of Marshal Petain himself the promoters of collaboration with the Axis are squeezed between the jaws of a vice from which they can hardly hope for a happy release.