NAZIS AND VICHY

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 December 1940, Page 7

NAZIS AND VICHY

DEMAND FOR FRENCH FLEET

CRITICAL NEGOTIATIONS

[BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, December 29.

Obscurity still cloaks the French situation, but all sources indicate that the members of the Vichy . Government continue strongly to resist the German attempts to exceed the armistice provisions. ■ : • The crisis at Vichy may be approaching a climax. The Free French News Agency says that Marshaf'Petain has told Herr Hitler that he-will not hand over the French. Fleet. The Cabinet met last night under Marshal Petain, and another meeting will be held to-morrow. .

M. Philippe Barres, a former editor of “Le Matin” and “Paris Soir,” in an article in the “Sunday Times” says the Germans are striving to impose on Vichy measures placing- the French Fleet in their hands 1 ' before the Free French and the British made decisive progress. . Herr Hitler will not attempt to appropriate the French Empire, because he knows the Empire will surrender to Britain, rather than accept German domination.

Another message from Vichy says it is reported that important negotiations, in which a development is imminent which is likely vitally to affect the domestic status of France and also her relations with the Axis, are at present in progress between France and Germany.

It is not yet known what the Vichy Government is going to do regarding the German demands for naval help from France, but some clue as to the disposal of the French fleet may be found in an announcment by Radio Algiers, that a large number of French naval men have arrived there, ostensibly on leave, which is apparently to last a whole year. This may be an endeavour to remove the French Navy from German reach. The Lisbon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain also says a number of French naval units have already gone to North Africa from

The Lisbon, correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the Germans are reported to be on the point of invading unoccupied France. Aeroplanes are waiting at Vichy to convey Marshal Petain and his Government to Africa, should Germany move. Several independent sources confirm reports of the embarkation of French troops at Marseilles for Morocco and Tunisia., The German radio says two influential members of the French Government were going to Morocco from Vichy on board an aeroplane shot down at La Linea on December 25.

LONDON OFFICIAL OPINION.

■■■■■" RUGBY, December 29. ' Reports from various quarters suggesting that critical developments are pending in the relations between the Nazis and Vichy, are prominent-, ly reproduced in the Press. Observers here with access to reliable sources of information are inclined to treat the reports, such as that an ' extension of the German, occupation is imminent, or that Marshal Petain and his colleagues contemplate leav.-. ing Vichy for French North Africa, with considerable reserve. All the evidence points to the tendency since the eclipse of M. Laval of there being more of threats and less of flattery in the Nazis mode of address towards Vichy. This may reflect disappointment at the failure of the hopes which some Nazi circles, perhaps encouraged by M. Laval s entourage, had built up of obtaining from conquered France complaisance and collaboration which Marshal Petain and his colleagues could not find compatible with French honour or in ft is perhaps significant that at the same time as the Nazis were making demands under threat, German propaganda in France is at pains to exculpate the Germans from the charge of having brought distress .and want to France. The truth is that not only is France bearing an immense financial burden in paying f . or German occupation and having to deprive her population of essential foods to feed the forces of occupation, but sorely-needed supplies are being systematically taken from France to be exported to Germany. Diplomatic circles m London are disinclined to hazard 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 in the position to exert strong pressure, but on the othe hand the situation contains a number of elements which should enable Marshal Petain and his colleagues to resist; and those who have the developments in France with the keenest interest are those who express most doubt whether the will secure the acquiescence of Vichy now for terms and' conditions going far beyond those of the treaty itself.

U.S.A. INTEREST.

WASHINGTON, December .28. The French Ambassador in Washington (M. Haye) is reported to have assured the United States Assistant Secretary of State (Mr. Sumnei Welles) that there is no possibility ot Martinique becoming an enemy base. More information on the situation in Vichy is expected to be available in Washington, shortly, when the new United States Ambassador (Admiral, W. D. Leahy) has had time to prepare a report. He is at present on his way to France aboard the United States cruiser Tuscaloosa. The future of the French Navy is of almost, as vital interest to the United States as it is to Great Britain. PHILIPPINES’ CHAPTER.

MANILA, December. 28.

French residents in the Philippines have announced the formation of • a local “Chapter” of the Free French Movement.