DARLAN POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 14 August 1941, Page 9

DARLAN POWER

PET AIN’S BEQUEST DIRECT CONTROL BERLIN-VICHY PLANS NEW ORDER IN EUROPE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.l (Reed. Aug. 13, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. The suspension of all political activity throughout France and the creation of a Council of Political Justice which will submit to him October 15 a list of those considered responsible for the fall of France was announced by Marshal Petain in a broadcast to the French nation. He explained that the delays in arranging Franco-German collaboration had resulted from Germany being engaged in the gigantic battle in Eastern Europe “in defence of civilisation.” , „ T , Marshal Petain continued: I have grave things to tell ybu. _ In the atmosphere of false rumours, intrigues and understandable uneasiness gripping the people of France my name is very often invoked in an attempt to justify alleged beneficial undertakings which are actually appeals to discipline. When the war continues on the frontiers of a nation which defeat has put hors de combat, but whose empire remains vulnerable, everyone asks with anguish what is the future of my country. I have entrusted Admiral Darlan with the duties of Minister of Defence in order that he may exert a more direct control over the land, sea and air forces. I appreciate the collaboration which Herr Hitler courteously offered France, but it is a work of slow- development and has not yet borne all its fruits.” Marshal Petain said that the French relations with Germany and Italy were defined in the provisional armistice. “It is our wish to escape from these provisional relations and establish a stabler bond without which European order cannot again be built up,” he continued. Message For America “I would like to recall to the great American Republic the reasons why, she need not fear a decline in French ideals. Our Parliamentary democracy, which is now dead, had few traits in common with American democracy. The instinct of freedom still lives proudly and strongly in us. Our difficulties arise from troubled minds, lack of men, and scarcity of products. “Disturbance to our spirit arises not only from the vicissitudes of our foreign policy, but from our slowness in constructing a new order. National revolution has not yet become a fact because the upholders of the old regime and the servants of trusts have raised barriers between the people and myself. “A long delay is necessary for conquering the resistance of adversaries to the new order, but we must break their undertakings by decimating the leaders. “France is bound by the force of events to change the old regime. If she fails there is open at her feet the abyss into which Spain nearly disappeared in 1936. “In the light of experience I will take up against egoistic blind capitalism the struggle which the Kings of France waged and won against feudalism. I want our country freed from the most despicable tutelage—money. I will act rigorously against irresponsible professional organisations led by mercenary considerations. Delegation of Authority “It is scandalous that fortunes should be. built up on general wretchedness. Despite privations of all kinds and under most difficult conditions France s life has been maintained since her defeat.

‘‘The Government’s problem goes be., ond the framework of a simple Ministerial reshuffle. It required certain principles, rigidly upheld. Authority no longer comes from below. “I delegate it firstly to Admiral Darlan, to whom opinion has not shown itself always favourable and fair, but who has not ceased to help me with loyalty and courage.” Marshal Petain admitted a lack of unity throughout France. He blamed the "leader of the Free French. General de Gaulle, the London radio, and certain French newspapers. He said he realised that France could only be governed from Paris. ‘‘But I cannot return to Paris yet,” he added. Other points in Marshal Petain’s programme include disciplinary measures against members of secret societies, restrictions on civil servants who are Freemasons, the exclusion of holders of high Masonic offices from public office, doubling of the police force, the appointment of apecial commissioners for supervising local government, the abolition of salaries of Parliamentarians, the abolition of Parliamentary immunity as from September 30, the organisation and supervision of labour in industry and agriculture, the establishment of a state economic organisation for national reconstruction, and the promulgation of a labour charter regulating relations between labour and employers. The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press says that Admiral Darlan, as Minister for National andEmpire Defence, will have the Ministers of Air, the Navy and War serving under him. German Request for Delay The Vichy news agency announces that decrees being issued to-day are expected to increase Admiral Darlan's powers, especially in the military sphere. Another report from Vichy says the Government is expected neither to flatly reject nor to completely accept the German proposals, and according to the Daily Telegraph’s Vichy correspondent French officials are confident that nothing approaching a rupture between America and France is in the air. It is believed in Washington th.al Germany has asked Vichy to delay the announcement of its decision on the German demands for bases in North Africa and French collaboration in the war against Prussia until after the United States Congress finishes consideration of the bill to extend the period of compulsory military service. The delay would be designed to avoid arousing the fears of Congress that the threat to America had increased, thus weakening the hand of the isolationists, upon whom Hitler depends to put a very strong brake on any move in the United States towards direct involvement in the war.

it goes without saying, however, that the United States Government is likely to abandon even the formality of friendly relations with Vichy if the French accede to the German demands. Americans will unquestionably follow President Roosevelt’s lead in