PETAIN’S COUNTER

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1941, Page 5

PETAIN’S COUNTER

To Hitlers’s Moves For Balanced Cabinet (Received February 7, 10.20 p.m.). LONDON, February 7. The “Daily Mail’s" correspondent says: “A drama at Vichy nears its climax Admiral Darlan arrived in Paris on the night of Thursday, bearing a compromise plan to Herr ‘Abetz (the German representation at Paris). He will confer with M. Laval, after which he is expected to go to Vichy. Before Admiral Darlan's departure from Vichy, the French Cabinet held a last-minute meeting. The “Daily Mail” correspondent adds: The. Vichy Government’s counter-proposals to the German proposals are that Marshal Petain shall remain the head of the State; that Admiral Darlan shall become Premier and Foreign Minister; and that M. Laval become Vice-Premier and Minister of the Interior. Marshal Petain is believed to have m< sisted that Admiral Darlan should bo either Minister of Hie Interior or Foreign Minis! er The “Daily Telegraph” says: "News from Vichy suggests that M. Laval is staking his whole political future by insisting on controlling power in the French Cabinet., while Marshal Petain is instead, attempting to make him a member of a balanced quadrumvirate, over whose decisions he (Marshal Petain) shall retain the casting vote. The quadrumvirate would fall into two groups. One would comprise M. Laval and M. Baudouin (former Foreign Minister) who are both willing to serve Germany’s interest. The other group would consist of Admiral Darlan and General Huntziger, who would not compromise French honour by ...allowing the Armistice to be twisted into an alliance with Germany.

CALL TO FRENCH YOUTH FOR THE NAVY. VICHY, February 6Following the Navy appeal, a radio announcer urged youths to enlist in the Army. —