LAVAL MINISTRY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20744, 20 April 1942, Page 3

LAVAL MINISTRY

CHANGE AT VICHY TEAM OF NONENTITIES "PARIS QUISLING CLIQUE" (By Telegraph—Press Asan.—Copyright,) (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 19, The French Government changes announced in Vichy and quoted by agencies in London leave the four key posts in M. Laval’s hands. Nominally, M. Laval will be the third personage in the Government, Marshal Petain being Chief of State and Admiral Darlan Deputy Chief of State. Actually, however, he will hold the four all-important portfolios —Chief of the Government, Minister of the Interior, Foreign Minister, and Information Minister.

The new Cabinet comprises the following: M. Laval, Chief of the Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Information.

M. Bathelemy, Minister of Justice. General Bridoux, Minister of War. Admiral Auphand, Minister of the Navy. General Jeanne Quin. Minister of the air. M. Paul Marion, Minister of Propaganda.'; . .". ’ • M. George Hilare, Minister of the Interior and Prefecture. - M. Rene Bosquet, Secretary for the Police. M. Pierre Cathala, Minister of Finance. ’ M. Hubert Lagardelle, Minister of Labour. M. Brevie, Minister of the Colonies. M. Abel Bonnard, Minister of Education. M. Francois Lehideux, Minister of Industrial Production. M. Raymond Crasset, Minister of Health. M. Gibrat, Minister of Communications. M. Max Bonnafous, Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies. M. Jacques Barnaud, DelegateGeneral for Franco-German Economic Relations. M. Lucien Romier, Minister without portfolio. M. Debrinon, Admiral Platon, M. Benoist-Mechin and M. Gueraro become secretaries of State to M. Laval. Darlan’s Position Admiral Darlan’s name is omitted from the list, but M. Marion issued a statement that he still remains Marshal Petain’s designated successor and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He will have the right to attend meetings of the Council of Ministers at which questions relating to his office are discussed. “President Laval will be responsible to Marshal Petain and assume direction of the tone of foreign policy,” it was stated. The Vichy News Agency says that Admiral Darlan will remain the second personage of State as successor to Marshal Petain and M. Laval will be the third personage. Informed circles in London are of the opinion that the names show that Laval intends to keep power mainly in his own hands. Most of the Ministers are not known to the average Frenchman. M, Marion, a Fascist, and M. Cathala, have been in two previous Laval Cabinets. M. BenoistMechin has a sinister record. Free French circles say that M. Laval has chosen mostly men whose German sympathies are not too well known in the hope of placating America, but at least they are known among Free Frenchmen in connection with the Paris Quisling clique. De Gaulle’s Criticisms General De Gaulle expressed the general opinion prevailing here when he said, in a broadcast to the French nation, that the new Government was just another stage in the game Hitler started playing against France and the world in June 1940. /

“Apparently,” said General De Gaulle, “Hitler decreed certain transfers and promotions among the Vichy traitors. We were expecting this formality. The position in which his armies are placed has now led him to strengthen the guarantees he received some months ago from the unworthy military and political leaders regarding our territory, fleet, and Empire. He now thinks fit to have recourse to men still more obviously unworthy.” After vehemently criticising the Vichy leaders. General De Gaulle concluded: “To-day, the duty of all French men and women is exactly the same as yesterday, but more obvious. It is to struggle actively, by every possible means, both against the enemy himself and against the men of Vichy who are the enemy’s accomplices. The French people have begun to show how and why Hitler was mistaken concerning them. We believe that they will continue this demonstration. Hitler may be beaten because he thought he could dispose of France.” Police Force Increased

The Times correspondent on the French frontier says that owing to M. Laval’s return to strength, the French police have been hastily increased by nearly 4000 in the Seine Department, including Paris, and 1500 in the unoccupied zone.

The Berlin radio, commenting on the Vichy Cabinet, says that M. Laval’s first term of office showed his understanding of the new order and that he is opposed to Communism. Germany, therefore, is not unfavourably disposed to his return. M. Laval doubtless is aware that he will have to start from scratch and has heavy tasks ahead. Germany will not be in his way when he tackles these tasks.

The German News Agency reports from Vichy that M. Nomdamel, con-troller-general of the French criminal police has been relieved of his post. A Buenos Aires message states that the French Ambassador, M. Marcel Payrouton, has informed Marshall Petain of his resignation following the appointment of M. Laval.