LAVAL IN PRISON

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1940, Page 8

LAVAL IN PRISON

CONSPIRACY REVEALED —— THREAT TO MARSHAL PETAIN [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, December 16. The Berne correspondent of the “New York : Times” says that M. Laval is irriprisoned at Pelle Voisin, awaiting charges of an. attempted coup d’etat against Marshal Petain, .timed to coincide with- the reburial of the ashes of Napoleon’s son in Paris on December 15 in the presence of Admiral Darlan and high Itiis authoritatively stated that M. Laval, at a meeting of the . Vichy Cabinet on December 13, urged Marshal Petain to attend the reburial because-Herr Hitler was doing- likewise, thus providing a gesture of French-German-friendship. M. Peyrouton, Minister for the. Interior, requested guarantees of Marshal Petain’s safety, whereupon M. Laval heatedly retorted', letting slip.a hint of his plans. Marshal Petain and other Ministers demanded an explanation from M. Laval, who threatened Marshal Petain with physical violence. Marshal Petain placed- M. Laval under arrest and then cut. communications with places abroad to prevent the news reaching Herr Hitler prematurely.

DETAILS OF CHARGE. (Recd. Dec. 17, 1.30 p.m.). LONDON, December 16. M. Laval will be charged with attempting a coup d’etat against the chief of the French State, says the Berne correspondent of the “New York Times.” M. Laval placed his own men in important posts, suggesting that, with the aid of friends abroadand clients at home, he might have succeeded in getting a definite hold on the Government, even eliminating Marshal Petain.

German opinion is that the fall of Marshal Petain would have resulted in complete chaos in France. The “Daily Telegraph” says that M. Flandin is a less-discredited- figure, and is more suitable than M-. Laval as an implement of German wishes, for example, to deal with the situation which would arise if Germany, decided' to send troops to Italy across France. Hitler would presumably use M. Flandin’s connections in Britain and elsewhere, for peace proposals and other diplomatic action.

The German radio stated that the Vichy Government has confiscated the property of several prominent figures, and deprived them of their nationality, including M. Leger, former Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, M. Thorez, secretary to the Communists, M. Clair, film producer, and M. Epstein, editor of “L’Ordre.”

GERMAN THREAT.

(Received December 17, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 16.

The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press reports that official circles, commenting on M. Laval’s dismissal, said: “We are still at war with France. Our relations are governed by the armistice, not by peace. The change in the French Government, particularly in such an important post, raises the question as to whether the present state of affairs will be continued.”

The Berne correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the German Ambassador to Paris is z going to Vichy, to see Marshal Petain regarding M. Laval. GERMAN TROOPS’ PASSAGE. REFUSED BY PETAIN. (Received December 17, 11.35 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 16. Marshal Petain has refused Germany permission to send troops across France to Libya and Greece, to help Italy without disturbing Italian home morale, says the Associated Press correspondent at Berne. Germany transmitted her desire through M. Laval, before he was ousted. The request was considered by Marshal Petain as an Axis attempt to gain a Joothold in the French Mediterranean bases.

It is reported that Germany planned to have the troops picked up by Italian transports at French ports, avoiding the effect on Italian opinion of German troops passing through Italy. Marshal Petain replied: “The only Mediterranean port possible for this would be Toulon, which I shall not allow under any circumstances.” REPRESENTATIVE TO AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, December 16. It was announced to-day that M. Andre Brenac has been appointed as personal representative in Australia of General de Gaulle’s Free French movement. M. Brenac has resided in Australia for thirteen years. He is editor of a ■ French newspaper, “Courier Australian.”

Sir Frederick Stewart, Minister of External Affairs, made the announcement of his appointment. He expressed the hope that the French community would be stimulated.