PETAIN MYSTERY

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 November 1943, Page 6

PETAIN MYSTERY

CONFLICTING REPORTS I PRISONER, ILL, OR NORMAL LONDON, November 21. Reports from neutral sources, all unconfirmed, add to the mystery that has surrounded Marshal Petain. Evei since November 13, when he did not speak on the air as had been announced, there has been speculation. Rumours allege that Marshal * has had a quarrel with Laval, that ne has resigned, and that he has had a stroke. . „ Marshal Petain is reported to be a prisoner in his chateau surrounded by pro-German armed police and cut off from members of his Cabinet, says the Geneva correspondent m tne “Daily Express.’’ Marshal Petain considers his position is similar to that of the King of the Belgians. Another report says that a number 01 Marshal Petain’s close friends, including three generals, have been arrested. Newspapers have coupled Marshal Petain’s failure to broadcast on November 13 with the visit the same night to his apartment of the German Ambassador to Vichy (von Nidda), who, with Laval’s help, demanded that Marshal Petain’s speech should be re-written. Marshal Petain, in the substituted speech, was to have said that, as Laval’s police were unable to keep order, he had invited the Germans to co-operate m police work and that they had consented. It is reported that Marshal Petain refused to read the new speech. He told von Nidda he would not give full approval to Gestapo occupation and to the mass executions and arrests which the Germans considered necessary. Swiss newspapers publish what is purported to be the text of the address the Marshal intended to give. If this is correct it is not surprising that, he was not allowed to deliver it. It proposed to give France a new constitution, to renounce all unconstitutional acts since the fall of France, and to renounce Laval as successor to Petain.

The mystery of Marshal Petain took a new turn this morning. It was announced by the Paris radio that at 9.50 there would be a broadcast of the ceremony of the changing of the guard at Vichy in the presence of Marshal Petain. At 9.50, however, gramaphone records were played. At 10 o’clock the announcer apologised for a technical hitch and more records were played. Six minutes later it was announced that the broadcast would begin any minute. Another record was played and then it was announced that the station would be unable to relay the ceremony.

French radio stations have been at some pains to deny reports that Marshal Petain, is ill. A reporter broadcast a description of an interview that Marshal Petain had had with provincial mayors, at which-he was in his usual health. This report included recordings of Marshal Petain joking about his rumoured illness. The Berne correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Germans are hurriedly preparing to take over full control in the event of the whole Vichy organisation collapsing. The German News Agency announced that the Vichy Minister for Labour, Huizert Lagardalle, has resigned. According to the Barcelona correspondent of the Associated Press. German troops have opened an offensive against French guerrillas operating in the mountains east of Chambery. This is the first allGerman military operation in the alpine district of Eastern France. Casualties occurred on both sides. The guerrillas are withdrawing further east where the main force, supplemented by Italians, is preparing to defend its positions. RICHELIEU RE-ARMED

LONDON, Nov, 19. The French battleship Richelieu, armed with secret new guns and equipment, is again on the high seas ready for action, says Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. The Richelieu was damaged in the British attack on Dakar in 1940, was patched up, and was sent to New York last February where she was recommissioned. General Giroud and Admiral Sir John Cunningham inspected the Richelieu in Algiers Harbour before the departure for secret waters. She was so cunningly camouflaged that her immensely long, sleek shape was difficult to discern from three hundred yards. The Richelieu’s crew includes a number of Frenchmen who were transferred to America and specially trained to fire her new armament.

LEBANON DISPUTE ANGLO-U.S.aT REQUESTS

LONDON, November 20. When the British Minister of State in the Middle East (Mr Casey) row General Catroux he urged the need for a speedy solution which would grant Lebanon the independence promised by the French. Mr Casey later left Cairo for Beirut. The United States Government has sent a message to the French Committee of National Liberation on the Lebanese situation. The Secretary or State (Mr Cordell Hull) said that the American representative in Beirut had been sent to the French Committee’s headquarters with representatives from the United States to express the hope for an agreement which would give the Lebanese full independence. PRESIDENT REINSTATED. (Rec. 10.30) LONDON, Nov. 21. The Lebanese President has been reinstated, and the imprisoned Ministers released. A communique issued by the French Committee of National Liberation states: “General Catroux’s proposal for the reinstatement of the Lebanese President was adopted, and the Lebanese Ministers : were liberated. M. Helleu has been requested to proceed to Algiers. Complete order reigns in Lebanon.” Tlie “Exchange Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent had reported earlier that tne Lebanese Parliament • met secretly on Saturday night and decided to wait 24_ hours for the release of the arrested Ministers, after which if the leaders were not released, they wornd take action against the French. The French National Committee’s communique with reference to Lebanon added: The Committee affirmed its decision to enter into negotiations with the Government of the Syrian Republic—negotiations which are necessary to reconcile the position of France as mandatory newer with the independent regime she promised to the mandated territories of the Middle East, in the proclamation of 1941. As-won as constitutional order is aeam established in Lebanon, negotiations . would be opened with the Beirut Government.

The decision to reinstate the Lebanese President, release the Ministers and recall Hellu, is regarded in London, as eoing some wav towards re--I’eving the acuteness of the crisis in Lebanon. It is recarded as the first •syen towards a return to normal political conditions, and should helo in rr«atmv a more favourable atmosnhere Mr the next step, which is the re-establishment of constitutional Government. It is thought unlikely ?n London there can be anv real restoration of confidence in the Middle East until this is done.

PRELIMINARY CONCESSION. 1

(Rec. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 21. After the issue of the French communique, the . Commissioner for. Information, Henri Bonnet, made a statement: “We think the decisions should satisfy all parties, and will lead to a settlement. From the local and Allied viewpoints we regard the Committee’s decisions as a satisfactory preliminary solution, leading i to a final broad settlement.” Asked whether M. Helleu’s pro-1 gramme would be proceeded with, he replied, “Surely.” 'He added that no new general election would be held. The President would choose his new Ministers. M. Bonnet emphasised the Committee’s solution was not due to outside pressure. It was hoped the deci-; sions reached satisfied the British. , I The Algiers radio quoted General : Catroux, in a statement made at Bei- 1 rut, as saying that in order to end the crisis the Lebanese will nave to make concessions as well as the French. The British United Press Algiers correspondent says that General Catroux is believed to have recommended the replacement of Helleu, I who ordered the Lebanon arrests, i Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent declares that liberation with the reinstatement of the Lebanese Ministers does not restore the status quo, but it is the first step towards the return of normal political conditions in Lebanon and should help to create a favourable atmosphere for the reestablishment of a constitutional Government. “The Times” editorially, says: In taking preliminary steps to end the crisis in Lebanon the National Committee acted with sagacity and statesmanship. There is now a fair prospect of a return to negotiation on a basis that shall satisfy the reasonable' claims and expectations of Lebanon, in accordance with pledges already given. PALESTINE - UNREST JERUSALEM, Nov. 20. ' A crowd fired on the British District Office in Tel-Aviv and 30 were injured in demonstrations and clashes which carried on through the day.