New Programme

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 38, 13 August 1941, Page 7

New Programme

WIDER POWER TO DARLAN

LONDON, August 12. Marshal Petain tonight broadcast a new twelve-point programme for Vichy France, and it was announced that Admiral Darlan has been given control of the whole land, sea, and air forces. The object of the new programme, he said, was to save France. The first point he announced was that all political parties in unoccupied Prance would be dissolved. Other points were that all Ministers and civil servants must take the oath to the Marshal. Those responsible for the defeat of. France were to be tried, and the economic status of France was to be reorganised.

Marshal Petain began his broadcast by saying that he had grave things to tell the French people. France's relations with Germany were defined by an armistice convention whose character could only be provisional. The French people must know how to orientate themselves to a new outlook, and that was the end to which the Vichy Government was guiding their efforts. France's relations with Italy were also regulated by .an armistice convention, and it was the Government's wish to establish more stable bonds with that country, without which the -European order could not be built up | again. | Marshal Petain announced the appointment of Admiral Darlan as Minister of National and Empire Defence, with control over the whole of the land, sea, and air forces of France. The Marshal said he would like to recall to the great American Republic reasons why she should not fear'a decline of French ideals. French politics themselves had few traits in common with the democracy of the Western Hemisphere, but the instinct of freedom still lived in the French people, proud and strong, although their democratic system was dead. General Huntziger, who signed the armistice with Germany, remains War \ Secretary. There is no change in the Air Minister or the Colonial Secretary. , . The Vichy, Cabinet changes are being watched in Washington with vkeen interest. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, said that the United States Government would wish to see the exact significance of the increased powers conferred on Admiral Darlan before commenting on the effect on Franco-American relations.