GERMAN ANXIETY

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

GERMAN ANXIETY

ECHOES AT VICHY PRESSURE~EXPLAINED FEAR OF SECOND FRONT (By Telegraph—Pros* Aasti.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (11 a.m.) LONDON, April 19. While the return of M. Laval to power is a complication which the Allied nations naturally view with concern, there are good reasons to believe that his elevation is a measure of the uneasiness of his German masters concerning the position in France and also the fear of on Allied second front.

It is the general opinion that M. Laval’s return is a confession by the Germans of their own weakness and anxieties about France. They realise that the men of Vichy could not be depended on to maintain their previous collaboration while Marshal Petain’s closest advisers were turning against Laval’s collaboratists. Thus M. Laval’s return is an attempt to swing the balance towards Germany. The Manchester Guardian says: “The fact is that the French, as a whole, hale Germany and hope for an Allied victory. Germany, through Laval, has taken out a valuable insurance policy against trouble in France, but has not gained an ally.”

Laval’s job, however, is not going to be a bed of roses. He is most unpopular in France. Except for his own clique, there is general distrust and hatred felt towards him for he symbolises all the worst French fears of German domination. Laval and Darlan Interest will be taken in the position between M. Laval and Admiral Darlan, since there is no love between them. Admiral Darlan, who is as unpopular with the French people as M. Laval, retains command of the armed forces and holds the fleet. He will certainly try to strengthen his authority over the fleet because without it he has nothing, for which reason he will probably oppose M. Laval if the latter tried to hand over the fleet to Germany. There is no guarantee that he would not use it against the British, whom he hates. Admiral Darlan cannot be altogether happy at Ivl. Laval’s return, for he is the vainest man and schemed earnestly to secure the position of Marshal Petain’s heirpresumptive.

British and French quarters in London are inclined to the belief that M. Laval’s policy will develop slowly, since he has his hands full in dealing with the internal situation, for which reason it is thought that he is not likely to send an expeditionary force to Syria, even if he could mobilise and transport one. There is speculation as to the possibility of a march against the French African colonies of Chad and Equatorial Africa, which rallied to the Free French, and also convoying supplies to General Rommel by French warships. Invasion Would be Welcomed But the position in France probably will pre-occupy M. Laval for some time. Lack of nourishing food is resulting in the people living on the border-line of starvation, and great areas of agricultural land have gone out of cultivation. There is no doubt of the resentment felt everywhere in France at the country’s plight. Vichy propaganda has completely failed to cure France of the resolve to free herself from the invaders’ yoke. It will be interesting, therefore, to watch the reactions towards M. Laval. M. Maurras, who is no friend and no admirer of Britain, stated that the whole population of France would welcome a British invasion, and there is no doubt that the possibility of a war on two fronts is troubling the Germans, who have taken the greatest interest in the presence in London of Mr. Harry Hopkins and General Marshall.

The hope has been expressed that Washington will give General de Gaulle’s Government full de jure status, thus giving it control of the French gold dollars held in the United States, running into milliards of dollars, the possession of which would render the Free French financially independent for the duration of the war, which would increase the prestige of the Free French in France, influencing many Frenchmen to regard the Free French as the true representative Government.