CRISIS FEARED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 5

CRISIS FEARED

NEXT-VICHY MOVE AFRICA THE KEY WEYGAND V. DARLAN U.S. BREAK FORECAST (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 15, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14. The Times’ correspondent on the French frontier says that Admiral Darlan, who has been appointed Minister of Defence, has obtained nominal power sufficient to satisfy all the German military demands, without even securing the endorsement ol the Cabinet. There are profound misgivings that the Vichy Government’s next step will probably provoke an international crisis of the very first magnitude. The French people will rejoice if the United States recognised General de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces. It is assumed here that Mr. Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt have agreed to take joint action should Admiral Darlan complete France’s betrayal. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times says that Marshal Petain and his colleagues are creating a police State, based on foreign bayonets, to suppress criticism of further betrayals and to protect themselves against a popular upheaval. Lowest Stage of Abasement The Times, in an editorial, says that Marshal Petain’s broadcast marked the lowest stage yet reached of the abasement of France. It remains to be seen what General Weygand, delegategeneral in North Africa, will do if ordered to provide facilities for Axis penetration in French Africa. That is the question on which the future of France depends. The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Mr. E. B. Wareing, says that travellers reveal that conspiracy is in the air in France. Furtive talks proceed in Marseilles cafes. At least three are raided by the police nightly. Occupied France and unoccupied France have almost become different countries. The northerners do not share the hopelessness of many southerners that France has become very like Italy, with a new hooligan party, embodying ideals - which the public does not share. Petain Supreme Judge The Vichy news agency says that Marshal Petain has become the supreme judge of the former Premier, M. Dal.adier, and others. The new Council for Political Justice will not supersede the court at Riom, but will enable Marshal Petain to take rapid action against the authors of the “disaster” before the court of Riom gives its official judgment. Marshal Petain is not empowered to impose the death penalty, but his decision will not preclude the subsequent imposition of the court’s findings. Sources in Washington express the opinion that America is expected to break off diplomatic relations with the Vichy Government very shortly. It is oossible that Canada will take the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon into protective custody and hand the Vichy Minister his passport. Private advices to the Ne\y York Times suggest there will be a serious clash of authority between Admiral Darlan and General Weygand within 48 hours over Admiral Darlan’s assumption of personal control and protection of , naval and air bases within the French empire. However, the feeling in Washington is that Admiral Darlan will not surrender the French fleet with the remainder of the French colonies. An important repercussion in America to the Vichy Government’s betrayal is the speed-up in negotiations by Washington for naval and air bases in Brazil. Active military co-operation between Vichy and Berlin, the commentators agree, would leave all France to be dealt with by Britain, with millions of Frenchmen grateful and not afraid in spite of the consequent loss of French lives.