PRESSURE BY AXIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 99, 23 October 1940, Page 9

PRESSURE BY AXIS

Move to Bring France Into War

HITLER AND LAVAL MEET

LONDON, October 22. The German wireless announced tonight that Herr Hitler has received M. Laval, the Vice-Premier in the Vichy Government. Herr yon Ribbentrop was present at the meeting. This announcement follows a day of reports about German pressure on Prance to declare war on Britain. The first report came from an Associated Press correspondent on the Swiss frontier. He said that M. Laval was in Paris negotiating with the Germans on the following suggested basis for a final armistice:—Prance to surrender Alsace, Lorraine, Nice, Tunis, and Jibuti. Germany and Italy, in return, would promise not to steal anything else, provided the men of Vichy declared war on Britain. Next came the news that Herr yon Ribbentrop was away from. Berlin, and there were suggestions that negotiations were at a point at which Herr yon Ribbentrop's visit to Vichy might clinch them. To keep in step the German Press has, in the past fortnight, refrained from saying anything derogatory about France.

A spokesman in Berlin hinted at a new development in the war, which the Germans have been proclaiming for a long time, as a result of which there would be collaboration with the German, Italian, and French forces for a decisive blow against for the mastery of the sea. | The Associated Press correspondent who sent the report about the negotiations said that it was agreed that Marshal Petain would reject any such proposal. Indeed, it is believed that M. Laval himself doubts if the French army, navy, and air force would fight Great Britain. In any case, there is evidence from other reports today that the French people hold this view. These reports give fresh evidence of anti-German feeling in France and the growing hope of British victory. The most revealing news is contained in an article in "POeuvre," by a proGerman journalist which was quoted by the German controlled Paris radio today. French cinema audiences have been applauding films showing damage in Germany caused by British raids, and the writer says: "I don't admire these French people who demonstrate in cinemas, nor do I feel any admiration for cutters of telephone wires." The article states that it has been found necessary to advance the curfew by one or two hours in certain Paris suburbs, and adds that those who think there still remains a chance of fighting against Germany have false hopes. GROWING SYMPATHY. This anti-German movement. is further confirmed in the first of a series of articles published in the Swiss newspaper "National Zeitung." The writer is anonymous, but is stated to be a well-known politician—not a Swiss —who has spent the last few months at Vichy. He writes that the antiBritish feeling which followed the col- ! lapse of France and the incidents at |Oran and Dakar is being replaced by a growing sympathy as the British resistance continues. He says that for a long time Frenchmen could not understand why their countrymen who bore the white-flag at Dakar were fired on. Now they believe the order to fire was given by the Germans. He adds that Marshal Petain is anxious to check anti-British feeling, but is opposed by M. Laval and M. Baudouin, who are staking everything on the German card.

There have already been reactions from Vichy about the latest developments. It is officially stated that France does not contemplate taking part in any war against anyone, but would defend the French Empire. .

France," which shows that resistance to the German invader is growing. This manifesto, which has reached Britain by means undisclosed, was possibly printed in one of the eighteen centres for the secret printing and distribution of pamphlets which the Paris police have unearthed. The existence of eighteen such centres in Paris alone tells its own story. It is reported that 615 persons concerned have already been arrested. The French Socialist message says that British resistance is shared by almost the whole of the French population. The receipt of this message is interpreted in Britain as proof of the resistance of the workers and Socialists of France, which, it is said, grows stronger day by day. French resistance will no doubt have received fresh impetus from Mr. Churchill's vigorous broadcast to the French people last night. So far, the Vichy Government has not allowed any part of the broadcast to be published by a French newspaper. The only comment has come from a French Foreign Ministry spokesman, who said that it was interesting to note that Mr. Churchill tried to throw responsibility for the war on to the Germans. Today in the House of Commons the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler) said that General de Gaulle is winning increasing support from prominent Frenchmen from all over the world. General de Gaulle has now returned to Duala in the Cameroons, after an extensive tour of the interior as far as the Lake Chad region. Part of the area was visited by aeroplane, and everywhere General de Gaulle was given an enthusiastic welcome by Europeans and Africans. Another hint of the Axis desire for a compromise peace is given today in the organ of the German Storm Troopers. This usually'bellicose paper claims in its latest issue that Germany never had any intention of destroying Britain, and says she will be prepared to consider a compromise peace. This article follows the appeal made by Signor Ansaldo in Count Ciano's newspaper urging Britain to compromise with the Axis.

The Vichy Foreign Minister (M. Baudouin) said in an interview that failure to collaborate with the Germans would be insane, imbecile, and absurd. SOCIALIST MANIFESTO. French Socialists in Great Britain have received a manifesto from the French Socialist Party, "somewhere in.

CHURCHILL'S SPEECH "JAMMED"

(Received October 23, 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 22. A message from Vichy says that Mr. Churchill was heard plainly while speaking in English, but he was completely "jammed" when he began to speak in French and could not be heard.

UNEMPLOYED IN PARIS

LONDON, October 21

The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says it is officially estimated that there are 600,000 unemployed in Paris, half of whom are aided by their former employers. The remainder receive a dole equivalent to about Is Id a day for bachelors, and Is 7d for married men, nlus 6d for each child.

PRAISE FOR LONDON BEHAVIOUR IN RAIDS NO PANIC, FEAR, OR DESPAIR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 21. London's behaviour during air attacks continues to impress all parts of the world in which opinion is still uncontrolled and the facts can be freelypublished. "Londorj is like an animal at bay, licking her wounds clean every morning," said Mr. Robert Briscoe, a member of the Dail Eireann, on his return to Dublin after a week's stay in London. "The city is scarred but the people are carrying on ir.- the most magnificent spirit of cheerfulness. Londoners are calm, dignified, and full of confidence in this greatest danger. They are a great people, and I take off my hat to them." Similar tributes are constantly paid by other neutral observers who have had the opportunity of seeing something of the mettle of Londoners. In the United States in particular their bearing has made a deep impression. A film entitled "London Can Take It," now about to be shown throughout the Western Hemisphere, gives America an even clearer picture than before the ordeal through which the British capital is passing. The film commentator Mr. Quentin Reynolds says: "I am a neutral observer. I have watched the people of London live and die ever since death in its most ghastly garb began to come here as a nightly visitor. I have watched them stand by their homes. I have seen them made homeless. I car.' assure you there is no panic, no fear, no despair in London town. There is determination, confidence, and high courage in Churchill's island."

NEW ENEMY TACTICS COUNTER BY R.A.F. TWO-TO-ONE SUPERIORITY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 22. Some authoritative comment on the success of the R.A.F. in countering the new tactics which its earlier crushing victories had forced upon the enemy high command was made in London yesterday. It was pointed out that even in these new conditions the R.A.F. is maintaining a superiority of nearly two to one, measured in losses of aircraft. What is more important is that the enemy formations are nearly always intercepted and broken up, only isolated aircraft getting through to the target. The present enemy plan, it was stated, is to send over large numbers of fighters, flying in waves up to a great altitude. In illustration of this tendency it was mentioned that on a recent occasion a squadron of Spitfires flying as high as 37,500 feet actually found German fighter aircraft up there. The R.A.F. is accordingly taking effective steps to counter the attempt of the enemy to "steal a march" on the defence by gaining an advantage in height.

It would appear that even in er.emy countries there is a steadily-growing recognition of the futility of indiscriminate bombing as a means of reducing Britain to subjection.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, October 21. The Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, said: "Despite the bombing, we are better off in aircraft. Damage to factories is less than you would expect. American exports to us are growing and will continue to grow monthly. We have most satisfactory contracts there which will not be affected by the United States Government's -large orders."

Such of the caDle news on this page as is so headed has appeared In "Tho Times" and is cabled to Australia and New Zealand by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of "The Times" unless expressly stated to bo so.