MORE THREATENING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 156, 30 December 1940, Page 8

MORE THREATENING

GERMAN ATTITUDE

CAUTION IN LONDON

(British Official Wtrelesjs.)

RUGBY, December 28.

Reports from various quarters suggesting that critical developments are pending in the relations between the Nazis and Vichy are prominently reproduced in the Press. However, observers here with access to reliable sources of information are inclined to treat reports such as that an extension of German occupation is imminent or that Marshal Petain and his colleagues contemplate leaving Vichy for French North Africa with considerable reserve.

All the evidence points to a tendency since the eclipse of Ml Laval of there being more of threats, and less of flattery in the Nazis' mode of address towards Vichy. This may reflect disap pointment at the failupre of hopes which some Nazi circles, pejrhaps encouraged by M. Laval's entourage, had built up of obtaining from conquered France complaisance and collaboration which } Marshal Petain an«d his colleagues; could not find compatible with French j honour or interest. CAUSE OR DISTRESS. It is perhaps significant that at the same time as th^t Nazis are making their demands under threat, German propaganda in France is at pains to exculpate the, Germans from the charge of having brought distress and want to Frances. The truth is that I not only is Fra'rice bearing an immense financial burdem in paying for the Ger man occupation and having to deprive her population of essential foods to feed the fonrces of occupation but also sorely meeded supplies are being systematically/ taken from France to be exported Ho Germany.

Diplomatic circles in London are disinclined to bjazard any views as to the outcome of the present phase of the special strain between Vichy and the Nazis. There is no doubt that the Nazis are iip a position to exert very strong pressure, but on the other hand the situation contains a number of

elements which would enable Marshal Petain and his colleagues to resist. Those who have followed the developments in France since the campaign with the keenest interest ecre those who express most doubt as to. whether the Nazis will secure the acquiescence of Vichy now for terms and conditions going beyond those of the treaty itself.