STILL OBSCURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 100, 24 October 1940, Page 12

STILL OBSCURE

HITLER-LAVAL TALKS

BRITAIN'S POSITION

HOSTILITY BY VICHY

LONDON, October 23. There are yet no signs of the communique promised by Germany about the meeting yesterday in Paris between Hitler and M. Laval. It is reported from Madrid lhat the meeting is the sole topic of conversation in the Spanish capital. It was intended that M. Laval should go back to Paris tonight, but he has taken opportunity of the delay to have a further talk with Marshal Petain. It is reported from Vichy that during his conversation with Marshal Petain several Ministers were called in for brief consultation. It is also j said that M. Laval conferred with the; Spanish Ambassador. It is generally believed that M. Laval encountered violent opposition in the Vichy Government and that the reported German terms were turned down by a majority of the Vichy Government. One report said that there was a stormy Cabinet meeting at Vichy. MM. Laval and Baudouin and Admiral Darlan | supported the terms, which were refused by Marshal Petain, General Weygand, and the rest of the Cabinet. Vichy says it is understood that] Herr Hitler has suggested a compromise between an armistice and a peace pact, and some people are trying to make out at Vichy that Herr Hitler has presented no demands. In other quarters it is said that his move is dictated by his dire need for further support in the war against Britain. Britain's position is clear. . Only a few hours ago in the House of Commons Mr. Butler warned the Vichy Government that if there were any more hostile acts against Britain, such as the bombing of Gibraltar, Britain would know how to deal with them.