FRENCH AFFAIRS

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 5

FRENCH AFFAIRS

M. LAVAL RELEASED

Germans Mystified

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] VICHY, December 17. The Government has lifted M. Laval’s confinement, at the request of Herr Abetz. LONDON, December 17. After M. Laval’s release, ne immediately returned to Vichy, and lunched with Marshal Petain and Herr Abetz.

Earlier Marshal Petain had received Herr Abetz, who with a military escort travelled along the flaglined route, from his hotel. A small silent crowd watched.

The Vichy correspondent of the Associated Pfess of Great Britain says: Herr Abetz expressed a desire to see both M. Laval and M. Flandin, but M. Flandin is confined to bed with influenza and high temperature. The Associated Press Berlin correspondent reports that the authorities declared that Germany is still making an effort to fathom the motives for M. Laval’s dismissal, and asking whether France intends to continue her advance in European policy, which recognises the principles of the German victory.

FRENCH HOPES. NO IMPEDIMENT FROM 1 GERMANS. (Received Dec. 18, 9.30 p.m.) VICHY, December 17. Censorship impedes reporting on results of the conference between Herr Abetz and the French authorities. The French appear to be confident that collaboration with Germany will continue unimpeded.

Laval’s Exit

PRESS REPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND

LONDON, December 16. i The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press reports'that official circles, commenting on M Laval’s dismissal, said: “We are still at war with France. Our relation.! are governed by the armistice, not by peace. The change in the French Government, particularly in such an important post, raises the question as to whether the present state 01 affairs will be continued,” The Berhe correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the German Ambassador to Paris is going to Vichy, tw see Marshal Petain regarding Ivi, uaval.

The Beilne ebrrespondent of the “New York Times” says: M. Laval placed his own men in important posts, suggesting that, with the aid of friends abroad and clients at home he might have succeeded in getting a definite hold on the Government, even eliminating Marshal Petain. M. Laval will be charged with attempting a coup d’etat against the chief of the French State, says the Berne correspondent of the Associated Pres s of America. Marshal Petain refused Germany permission to send troops across Franco to Libj a and Greece to help Italy witnouf disturbing Italian home morale. Germany transmitted her desire through M. Laval before h e was ousted. The request was considered by Marshal Petain as an Axis attempt to gain a foothold in the French Mediterranean bases. It is reported that Germany planned to have the tioopa picked, up by Italian transports at French ports, avoiding the effect on Italian opinion of German troops passing through Italy. Marshal Petain replied: “The only Mediterranean port possible for this would be Toulon, which I shall not allow under any circumstances.”

The “Daily Telegraph” says that M. Flandin is a less discredited flu ure, and is more suitable than M Laval as an implement of German wishes, for example, to deal with the situation which would arise ff Germany decided to send troops co Italy across France. Hitler would presumably use M. Flandin’s connect’ou in Britain and elsewhere, for peace proposals and othe»- diplomatic action.

The German radio stated that the Vichy Government has confiscated the property of several prominent figures, and deprived them of their nationality, including M. Leger. former Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, M. Thorez, secretary to the Communists, M. Clair, fi<m producer, and M. Epstein, editor of “L’OrdreP German opinion that the fall of Marshal Petain would have resulted in complete chaos in France. NEW YORK, December 17. A United Press correspondent says: Marshal Petain accused M. Laval of attempting to seize power. He forced M. Laval to write his resignation in tlm presence of the Cabinet on Friday last. M. Laval is reported to have been seeking the vacant Premiership, and also power over the Ministry. His office -was searched. A thousand police surrounded his hotel. M. Laval was arrested at 11 p.m. on Friday last.