FRENCH AFRICAN BASES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1941, Page 5

FRENCH AFRICAN BASES

NAZI ULTIMATUM VICHY’S DECISION TO-DAY LONDON, August 11. Vichy is expected to make a momentous decision to-day, when the Cabinet will meet to hear a full report from Admiral Darlan on the outcome of the German " demands for bases in the French Empire. With the debasing result of subservience to Germany rapidly piling up, a tense atmosphere surrounds Marshal Petain’s talks with his chief advisers.

A Vichy official spokesman has denied reports that Vichy is about to conclude an offensive alliance with Germany, ostensibly aimed at Russia, but most sources agree that Germany has made fresh and heavy demands for the use of African ports. The correspondent of “The Times” on the French frontier says that the developments cannot be examined too closely. Formulae might be found to enable Vichy to observe the armistice dispositions, while making interesting counter-proposals to Germany The German-inspired press emphasises the recent aggravation of Vichy’s situation, especially in regard to relations with Britain and America. The Vichy News Agency claims that the tension has eased, but the utmost secrecy is maintained about the subjects of Marshal Petain’s talks. Mr E. B. Wareing, correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” says the Germans have demanded facilities at Dakar Algiers, Casablanca and Bizerte. The moment has almost arrived, he adds, for Vichy to decide once and for all between friendship with Geimany or America. It is reported from Vichy that General Weygand has refused to agree with Admiral Darlan’s policy of collaborating with Germany m North Africa. BREAK ~WITH U.S.A. WASHINGTON, August 10. According to the Associated Piess of America, a break in diplomatic ielations between the United States and Vichy is reported likely if it becomes evident that the impending French decisions involve Germany s obtaining use of strategic bases on the Allcari coast. The whole question of the western hemisphere’s inteiesx in French possessions is under intensive study in Washington. Yesterday morning Admiral Dailan had a conference with General Weygand and General Huntzinger, tne Minister for National Defence, and was also received by Marshal Petain. The utmost secrecy is being observed in official circles, but the American commentator, Mr Raymond Gram Swing, states that Berlin has presented Vichy with-an ultimatum wlfich was to have been answered vesterday These demands seek poition of and transport facilities in France's North African empire., and although Vichy has denied that this is the case, Mr Swing says that the denial is a deliberate misuse of words, fox the terms of transfer would give Germany full control. WEYGAND’S DEPARTURE

/■Rec 1 45) LONDON, August 11. Speculation regarding the meeting of the French Cabinet this afternoon was deflated when General Weygand returned to Algiers, without evenattending the session, reports the Asso dated Press Vichy “Respondent. The Lyons radio said that the Min isters discussed the *Wiesti°n ot apprenticeship, whereafter the Mini ter of Agriculture reported on the harvest prospects. . The .L en ? ail l^r e nt the meeting was devoted to current matters.—U.P.A.