Laval And The Axis

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 93, 21 April 1942, Page 5

Laval And The Axis

LONDON, April 20. In a broadcast to the French people, M. Laval, the new Chief of the Vichy Government, declared that he had always worked for Franco-German collaboration. He began with an attempt to reassure his countrymen. "Yon have nothing to fear, and everything to hope for, from the new regime," he said. Very soon he showed himself in his true colours. "I have always affirmed that a Franco-German rapprochement was the essential condition for peace in Europe," he declared, and he added that he had always worked to that end, and today no threats would prevent him from pursuing agreement and reconciliation with Germany.

After dealing at length with his prewar scheme for collaboration, he went on: "I have never submitted to foreign influence/ M. Laval then launched into a long attack in an attempt to turn his hearers against their former ally, England. "England threw us into the war, left us in the lurch, tried to sink our fleet, and stole our colonies," he said. His final effort against England was his statement that "today her planes are again in French skies." A Vichy communique issued after the first meeting of the new Cabinet said briefly that Marshal Petain had welcomed the new Chief of the Government, Other reports say that Laval personally thanked the Marshal and assured him of Cabinet's complete devotion to his person and to France. Laval is leaving immediately for [ Paris, where he will confer with his . Axis masters. Paris radio stated to- ; day that these trips to Paris will be '. quite frequent. Offices are being prepared for Laval in the building which used to be the

headquarters of the Premiers of France in pre-war days.

It is pointed out in London that Marshal Petain failed to explain in his broadcast why Laval had been twice foisted on the French people. Certainly, the French could draw no comfort from the broadcast. Marshal Petain may believe that he has scored a point by making Admiral Darlan his successor-designate, but, as is well known, Darlan is as much a collaborator with Germany as Laval himself, though probably not so effective. This afternoon the Nazi-controlled Paris radio gave a sinister warning to the French people of what to expect from Laval's Government. The nation knew, it said, that the Government well knew how to use its iron fist to direct the country along: the path of salvation and prosperity. It was up to the French people to understand that the difficulties that had mounted up for two yea**s could not be eliminated in a few days, "and its confidence in the Government must be accompanied by patience. The new Government n»r.-« carry out a huge clean-up in or«?r to restore confidence.