TRIAL OF LAVAL

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1945, Page 5

TRIAL OF LAVAL

WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE Judge Orders Hmi Away HIS LAWYERS REFUSE TO GO ON ~ PARIS, Oct. 4 Pierre Laval, ex-Prime Minister and ex-Foreign Minister of France, vyas charged at his trial with plotting, against the security of the State by hindering the Government’s move to North Africa, suppressing the constitution of the republic, creating an authoritarian regime, encouraging racial antagonism, contributing to the loss of the merchant and naval fleets, intelligence with the enemy by negotiating with the Germans, organising the shipment of slave labour to the Reich, declaring “I desire victory, for Germany,” and facilitating the landing of Axis troops to oppose the Allies in North Africa. The jury were taken from the same panel as that which last night condemned Darnard to death. The trial being sensational Laval’s lawyers made a protest ■ against the allegedly illegal exammaation of Laval before his trial. JI he counsel attempted to withdraw 11 om the case. Its prosecutor, Mornet rose to protest against the defence’s allegations. Laval, glaring with hate at Mornet, shouted: !‘You can condemn me, but you have no right to insult me.” There were tumultuous scenes as Laval shouted: “I am a patriot and will prove it!” Judge Mongibeaux, also the prosecutor, Mornet, and all the jurors joined in nirnpmg to their feet to shout down Laval. The Judge silenced Laval after an angry exchange. Previously _ Mongibeaux tried to speak, but. his voice was drowned by cries from the packed "allery. The police hurried to Laval, who apologised. Mongibeaux suspended the session at 2 p.m. after a further disturbance, in which he refused to let Laval speak. LAVAL’S LAWYERS WITHDRAW There were two adjournments in which the Court found it impossible to persuade or order Laval’s lawyers to resume 1 the defence. The Court refused Laval’s application for a postponement. Then Laval again entered the Court. Counsel refused to continue the defence on the grounds they had insufficient time to prepare the case. , . Mongibeaux announced the trial would continue without counsel. They had two and a half month to prepare the case. He was convinced they could present an adequate defence if they wanted to. Laval then declared he would conduct his own defence. In a statement to the Court Laval said that when he reached Bordeaux in 1940, the decision to sign the armistice was already taken, and it was President le Brun and others who should be in the dock, not he. He told them ther could be no two opinions about the armistice, which was a question for the military authorities. He had three main policies firstly, never to declare war against AngloSaxons. Secondly, never to accept German rille. Thirdly never to allow adventurers to take office. Asked why he counselled le Brun not to go to’North Africa, Laval said: “I thought going to Africa would be madness. The Spanish Government would have welcomed the Germans, who would have struck* through Spain and the French could not have prevented the invasion of Africa.” Attempting to justify collaboration, Laval declared he was working under the noses of the Germans, and collaboration was his only course. Laval asked the Court to adjourn because was too tired. Fie began repeating the former argument that the trial should be postponed to enable him to prepare a case. Mongibeaux and Laval began a heated discussion across the Court, each talking furiously. The judge finally shouted: “If you interrupt again, you will be removed.” "Laval broke in angrily. Thereupon the Judge shouted: “Take him out.” Laval shrugged his shoulders and replied; “I go myself.” Mongibeaux ordering the accused from the Court, announced the trial would continue to-morrow without Laval being present. There was a series of extremely heated exchanges between Laval and Mongibeaux, ending with Laval shouting: “All right! Condemn me now! At least the situation is clear.” The sitting ended with the judge ordering the arrest of a son of Fierce Cathala, one of Laval’s ex-ministers, who as a spectator applauded Laval’s remark: “All right condemn me now —at least the situation will then be clear.” (Rec. 9.40) PARIS, Oct. o Pierre Laval’s lawyers have reversed their decision not to continue with the defence. All said that they would appear at to-day’s hearing.