IN FRANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1940, Page 5

IN FRANCE

MARSHAL PETAIN

GOING TO VERSAILLES.

(Australian Press Association)

MADRID, December 6,

Tho newspaper “Ya,” states that Marshal Retain is expected to be installed at Versailles on December 15th. German troops are already evacuating the city, but it is certain that with or without Marshal Petain, Versailles will continue to be a German city. Marshal Petain is expected to meet ex-King Leopold of Belgium as a result of Leopold’s talk with Hitler in November, when Hitler laid it down that small nations like Belgium, having vast colonial empires,... must pay for their protection and future peace. Between now and the spring Germany absolutely needs efficient production collaboration in southern Europe.

WAR TRIALS PREPARING

VICHY, December, 6

It is officially stated in Vichy that the Supiemo Court at lliom considers that the case against General Gamelin, M. Daladier, M. Leon Blum, M. Cot, and M. Guy La Chambre, is completely prepared. The trial will probably commence early in January. It is expected that there will be 200 witnesses.

Accounts have reached Madrid of the daily lives of the French political prisoners at the Chateau Chazeron, near Clemont Ferrand. The prisoners are the three former Premiers, M. Reynaud, M. Daladier, and M. Blum; the former Commander -in - Chief, General Gamelin; and the former Minister of the Interior, M. Mandel. M. Reyn and and M. Daladier indulge in cycling in the wooded grounds of tho castle, but M. Blum, the latest arrival, lias not yet found a bobby with which to while away the time. M. Reyna ud is described as being very depressed, but M. Daladier is> very talkative and, it is said, will make “sensational revelations” when the trial is held at Riom. General Gamelin is devoting practically all his time to writing a. hook on strategy. He is described as the quietest of the group, though he is reported to have told his warders that lie was not responsible for the events which brought about his downfall, and that lie was deceived in his generals. M. Mandel, who is suffering with his -teeth and has already had three dentists at the castle, is described as the most unruly of the prisoners. He is said to adopt an arrogant attitude and to complain about his meals. “Hisi mood, which is attributed to his teeth,” says one source, “is always unbearable.”

The castle is surrounded with a deep ditch, and escape would seem impossible. The five prisoners occupy separate rooms.

FRENCH CLOTHING TRADE

PARIS, December 7

Doctor Josef Counsellor to the German Military Administration at Paris, lias announced that it is hoped to resume the export of Paris dress and hat fashions to America. Germany is doing her utmost to find materials. The general textile situation in occupied France is satisfactory, although the production is only 30 per cent, of the pre-war output. Emphasis is being placed on the manufacture of rayons and fibre materials with a view of reaching tbc widest market. There are -2,000,000 workers already at the looms in the northern textile districts. There has been remarkably little war damage, excepting around Dunkirk and around Sedan. However, there have been cases where looms and stocks have been left unattended until they deteriorated. German textile experts made an-inventory immediately after the occupation. They found the quantities were not so great as expected. New factories will be in operation after a year.

TO LOSE NATIONALITY

VICHY, December 7. The French Minister of Justice has announced that General De Gaulle, M. Legontilhomme, M. Larminat and M. Catroux are shortly being deprived of their French nationality.

EXTRA TIME ASKED

LONDON, December 7. Diplomats say that the British Legation at Montevideo has requested 24 hours additional for the “Carnarvon Castle” there, or a 48-hours’ stay altogether, for repairs. It is understood that the Uruguayan Government is awaiting a report- from its technicians before answering. It is recalled that the “Graf Spee” remained at Montevideo 72 hours.