DEGRADATION & DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 25564, 17 August 1945, Page 11

DEGRADATION & DEATH

ABED MARSHAL CONDEMNED DRAMATIC END OF PETAIN TRIAL PARIS, August 14. Marshal'Retain, the head of the Vichy Government during the occupation of France, was to-day sentenced to death on charges of treason. The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for six hours. Paris radio says that the court expressed the view that, owing to Petain's great age, the sentence should not be carried out. It added that Petain was also condemned to national degradation and confiscation of his property. M. Payen, counsel for Petain, concluding his case, said: "If you condemn Petain 1 pity France. There are innumerable Frenchmen who are devoted and grateful to Petain," The president then asked Petain if lie had anything to say. The marshal rose, took a paper from his pockot, and read the following statement: — " During the trial I kept deliber- ' ately silent after explaining to the French people the reason for my attitude. My only thought was to remain with the French people on the soil of France according to my promise in order to protect them and ease their sufferings. " Whatever happens now the people of France will not forget me. They know I defended them as I defended Verdun. Gentlemen, my life and liberty are in your hands, but my honour I entrust to my country. Dispose of me according to your conscience; my own is clear. After my long . life, having reached the threshold of death, I affirm I have no other ambition than to serve France.!'

Some clapping and applause greeted the statement, but it was quickly suppressed. M. Payen spoke for more than two hours. He developed his arguments in a quiet voice. The Public Prosecutor, M. Mornet, listening intently, saw no necessity to intervene. Petain smiled approvingly occasionally, . or, with a gesture, disclaimed undue praise. The 24 jurors and the three judges, before starting their deliberations, had dinner which was specially cooked in the police prefecture Ikitchens to eliminate the possibility of, tampering with the food after the anonymous letters. One thousand armed guards surrounded the court as the jury considered its verdict.

While the jury was still deliberating Madame Petain was informed that the charges against her of giving intelligence to the enemy had been dropped and that she was freed. ' The Minister of Information announced that the newspapers would he given paper as an exceptional measure for them to appear to announce the verdict. He added that the present paper consumption exceeded production .