HITLER AND LAVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 December 1942, Page 5

HITLER AND LAVAL

NEW WAR OF NERVES

DOUBLE-CROSSING MUSSOLINI

(Recd. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 23. M. Laval, on his return to Vichy, described his meeting with Hitler as entirely satisfactory. The German spokesmen, however, continue to dismiss Laval with scant courtesy, declaring France has not yet proved herself worthy to join the new Europe. The German TransOcean Agency declared that Berlin does not attach far reaching significance to Laval’s visit. The “Berliner Boerson Zeitung” said that the French must realise w’hat real suffering is before they can expect an internal revolution of true resurgence.

“The Times’s” diplomatic correspondent says that all this is part of a new war of nerves in an attempt to frighten the French into collaboration. It is, however,- also a sign that the Germans recognise the strength of the resistance and their unpreparedness to deal with the French situation while burdened elsewhere. From unofficial reports from Germany, says the “Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, it may be concluded that Laval was able to convince Hitler, at least for the time being, that France has more to offer Germany than has Mussolini. The correspondent says that Laval also insisted that Italy’s territorial claims at the expense of France could not be satisfied. Laval, doubtless, put forward the argument that the French administration working on a basis of goodwill would be cheaper than one based on coercion.

AMBASSADOR’S DECISION

LONDON. Dec. 23. The Exchange Telegraph’s Instanbul correspondent says: M,. Bergery, French Ambassador at Ankara, has refused Admiral Darlan’s telegraphed request to adhere to the North African Movement. He declared that he will remain faithful to Marshal Petain and M. Laval.

‘SABOTAGE" CLAIM

(Recd. Noon) LONDON, Dec. 23. A Berlin communique claims that Germans intercepted and wiped out a British sabotage party near Bordeaux on December 17, before it could carry out its orders.

MARCH THROUGH SPAIN ?

HITLER’S NEW PLAN

(Recd. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23. ' The belief is growing in Geneva that Hitler will march through Spain and strike against Gibraltar for the purpose of gaining a stranglehold on the western Mediterranean, the “Mail’s" Geneva correspondent says. Observers believe that in view of the German failures on the Eastern front, the Axis decided to concentrate all its efforts in Southern and Western Europe. The Axis has taken its eyes from Stalingrad and focussed them on Gibraltar. Hitler, it is believed, realises he cannot leave Italy io bear the brunt of the Allied offensive alone, for which reason the Wehrmacht is making great preparations in Southern France, particularly near the Spanish frontiers. The “Mail” fortifies this belief in recalling that large numbers of Italian troops have been concentrated on the Spanish frontier.

(Rec. 1.25) NEW YORK. Dec. 23. The Associated Press Ankara correspondent says: According to an informed foreign source here, the Germans are placing pressure on Spain to permit the occupation of the Balearic Islands. and would even occupy them by force in the event of a refusal.

Diplomatic quarters in Ankara, since the opening of the North African campaign, have believed that Germany will attack Spain, with a view to the occupation of the whole country besides the Islands.