PETAIN v. HITLER?

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1941, Page 5

PETAIN v. HITLER?

■ WEYGAND GIVEN POWER For Rally in North Africa [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] ZURICH, February 3. The first open expression of German Press suspicion regarding General Weygand’s activities in North Africa comes from “Das Reich, which says: “The British offensive in Libya is affecting the neighbouring French possessions, especially as the population displays little understanding of the reality of France's defeat. Many French colonial military authorities maintain that France, and not the French Empire, was defeated. French airmen continue to desert to‘ General de Gaulle. General Weygand has received from Marshal Petain an unusual degree of authority and freedom of action. Meantime, General Weygand has strengthened his own authority,. and is ready, if necessary, to act independent of Vichy. He has organised all the military powers of the French Empire. All the circumstances lead to the necessity of watching with suspicion General Weygand's ambiguous measures.” LONDON OPINION. LONDON, February 3. It is commonly believed that Hitler’s immediate desires from France are: Firstly, the possession of France's Mediterranean ports, with the French Fleet. Secondly, the control of Bizerta. The Spanish paper, “A.8.C.,” states that the tone of Hitler’s Note is cold, and it suggests that Germany may be on the eve of important decisions concerning France. Another report says it is revealed that Herr Hitler has demanded the 1 return of M. Laval to power. Admiral Darlan’s interview is not repudiated. Therefore it is assumed that Marshal Petain rejects the German naval demands. Marshal Petain might be obliged, however, to concede re-admission of M. Laval into the Government. M. Laval has given Herr Hitler a pretty clear indication that he is ready to hand over the French Fleet, and anything else that Hitler desires.

Nothing indicated that Marshal Petain is willing to go to this length, which explains the new German pressure on the Vichy Government. Admiral Darlan will see Herr Abetz in Paris to-day.

French Navy WILL NOT BE GIVEN AWAY. VICHY February 3. “Le Journal” published an interview with Admiral Darlan, stating the French fleet would remain under complete French jurisdiction. The fleet would defend itself and the Empire against a challenge from any quarter. TELEPHONE DISLOCATION. LONDON, February 3. The Paris Radio, without explanation. announced that several telephone stations were out of action, and the work of others was dislocated by interruption to the electric cables which cut off power and light supply to certain exchanges.

Petain’s Reported Threat

TO FIGHT GERMANY. IF UNOCCUPIED FRANCE IS ENTERED. (Received February 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 3. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Lisbon correspondent says: “It is authoritatively stated that Marshal Petain told Herr Hitler that the French Fleet and the French colonies would again enter the war on the side of Britain if the Germans were to take over unoccupied France. “Marshal Petain’s statement, it is stated, was his reply to a German Note, demanding, first, the port of Bizerta; secondly, a passage for German troops to Marseilles, or to Toulon; thirdly the transport of troops and war material to Bizerta 'in French ships. “A German verbal warning threatened the occupation of unoccupied France by Germany in the event of Marshal Petain’s rejection of the Note.

“It is conjectured that Herr Hitler may, alternatively, attempt to seize Bizerta, using all of Italy’s available warships, their action to be covered by the Luftwaffe.”

VARIETY OF RUMOURS. HITLER UNLIKELY TO MOVE OPENLY. (Received February 4 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The rumours that German pressure is being exercised on Marshal Petain take many forms. It has even been suggested that Marshal Petain has received a twenty-four-hours’ ultimatum. The most concrete expression rumoured is that there is a threat to create an entirely new France —a Quislingist France—beginning with a Committee Rassemblement National Fopulaire, with M. Pierre Laval as Head of the - State, in fact, if not byname.

It is stated that widespread popular suspicion as to a Puppet Committee, both in France and in the Colonies, wifi probably restrain Herr Hitler from openly moving in this direction.

Possible Upshot FOUR RULERS UNDER PETAIN. (Received February 4, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. It is reported from Vichy that Admiral Darlan’s conversations with the German Ministers at Paris will produce a reshuffle of Cabinet portfolios, one establishing a qua'rdumvirate, comprising M. Laval, M. Baudouin. Admiral Darlan and General Huntziger under Marshal Petain. The Lyons Radio declared that the supporters of the Committee Rassem-

blement National Populaire comprised men who had ceaselessly opposed Marshal Petain’s Government. GESTAPO ARRESTS PARIS POLICEMEN. (Received February 4, 1.10 p.m.) PARIS, February 4 The Gestapo have arrested one hundred Parisian policemen, after the discovery of a cache of arms at the Arc de Triomphe. Germany Short of Copper FRENCH BAUXITE AS SUBSTITUTE. (Received Feb. 4, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. The “Daily Telegraph” says: Germany is facing a serious shortage of copper and she is increasingly using aluminium as a substitute. The Germans are, therefore, increasing their imports of bauxite from France. There is apparently no copper in Europe for exportation to. Germany, except from Spain. The railing of copper from Spain to be difficult and costly, and nations outside of Europe have a lien on the Spanish copper, which forms foreign exchange for much needed wheat. The conversion'-'of bauxite requires complijcated machinery.) New cal!= on aluminium will also affect aircraft production.