MARSHAL PETAIN

Grey River Argus, 26 April 1945, Page 5

MARSHAL PETAIN

COMING BACK TO FRANCE To Face Accusers ON HIS 89th. BIRTHDAY (Rec. 9.50) LONDON, April 25 ' Au official Swiss communique says: Marshal Petain applied for permission ton himself, his wife and a small suite to cross Switzerland, to France to give himself up to a French Court of J ustice. The Swiss Federal Council has granted his request. Marshal Petain will await Lienen Government instructions regarding time and place for Ins entry into France. Instructions are expected soon. The Swiss radio says that Marsnal Petain has entered Switzerland at Saint Margareten. He did so at nine o'clock . on Tuesday morning, rie travelled with his party in a proces- | sion of nine cars. The Swiss radio repeated earlier reports that Pierre Laval had been refused an entry into Liechtenstein. Marshal- Petain’s trial is scheduled for May, 17. Reuter’s Zurich correspondent reports: Marshal Petain has arrived m Switzerland. He applied for permission to enter the country to return to France. He is now, it is stated, awaiting transport. It is officially stated that Switzerland will return Marshal Petain to France A British United Press correspondent at Zurich stated: Pierre Laval tried to enter Liechtenstein on Monday, but w'as turned back at me frontier. A correspondent stated that Marshal Petain wept when his car entered Switzerland He gave the correspondents an interview, since he is the head of the Vichy Government. He said: “The fact that to-day, on my birthday, I find myself in Swiss territory, 1 is the best birthday present for which I could have wished. 1 was dragged into Germany by s.S. troops and I was forced to stay in Belfort, where the Germans tried to form a French Quisling Government. I was then,.moved to tne interior. 1 have spent the last few months, with my wife, near Sigmaringen, where I have been closely guarded, and unable to move without being followed by the Gestapo. The Marshal emphasised tnat his stay in Germany had appeared to him always as a captivity. He did not know who was responsible for giving permission for him to leave Germany. It was reported from Zurich that Marcel Deat, former pro-Nazi editor of “L’Oeuvre,” was refused permission to enter Switzerland when he presented himself on the frontier. Jean Luchaire, a former director of the collaborationist newspaper, “Mouveau,” and father of the Him actress, Corinne Luchaire and other collaborators were also refused entry. An Associated Press correspondent in Paris said: It is known that Allied Governments were informed in advance that Marshal Petain was coming back to France, and they presumably gave their consent. The whole of France has been electrified by the news of Marshal Petain’s decision. An official of the Ministry of Justice said: “Proceedings were initiated for the trial of Marshal Petain in his absence. Probably these will be postponed. A charge of high treason has been based on. what is believed to be the largest dossier ever compiled against any accused French man. To-day is Marshal Petain’s 89th birthday, Reuter’s Zurich correspondent says: When Marshal Petain arrived at the Swiss customs barrier at Saint Margarlten he was presented witn a bunch of flowers. He looked remarkably fit. The convoy moved into Switzerland after a brief delay iO complete formalities. It is reported, though without confirmation, from the frontier tnat King Leopold of Belgium is also expected in Switzerland. Reuter’s Berne correspondent was refused an entry into Switzerland (Rec. 8.0) LONDON’ April 2b Reuter’s Zurich correspond® l } l savs: Mussolini’s son, Vittorio, attempted to enter Switzerland yesterday with a false passport, but he was immediately recognised and was turned back