VICHY TENSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20477, 11 February 1941, Page 5

VICHY TENSION

FLANDIN RESIGNATION COLLABORATION POLICY TERMS OF ARMISTICE NAZI POLITICAL AIMS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Feb. 11, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10. The campaign of vicious attacks on the Retain Vichy Government is continuing in the Paris press. The Vichy communique in which M. Flandin’s resignation from the post of Foreign Minister was announced stated: “M. Flandin, who responded to the Marshal’s appeal when at a delicate moment Marshal Petain asked for collaboration, considered it his duty to place the office at the disposal of Marshal Petain. This gives the great soldier complete liberty to take all measures required by the present siutation.

“Admiral Darlan’s conversations in Paris after the recent interview between Marshal Petain and M. Laval at La Ferte gave the Montoire policy a new reality. The situation thus created will probably lead to decisions in the near future.”

The Montoire policy means one agreed on, by Marshal Petain and Herr Hitler at their meeting at Montoire. There the Marshal accepted the principle of French and German collaboration with adherence to the terms of the armistice. Flandin’s Letter M. Flandin’s letter of resignation to Marshal Petain declared: “On December 14 you appointed me as Minister ot Foreign Affairs after events concerned in the internal policy ip which I played no part. I gave myself to the tasks you laid down —put in effect the policy of collaboration regarding the armistice terms with dignity and honour. It did not rest with me whether the policy would be executed. The force of circumstances compels me to affirm this fact. Therefore, I ask you to accept my resignation.”

The Toulouse radio to-day said that M. Flandin had resigned because of a personal campaign against him.

The Paris press announcer added: “A difficult situation has arisen in our relations with the occupying Power. While under M. Flandin, the policy of collaboration continued in technical matters, the German authorities maintain opposition in the political field.”