VITAL REVELATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 5

VITAL REVELATION

BETRAYAL BY VICHY.'

NAZIS USE SYRIA

(United Prcs3 Association—Copyright) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, May 15. A grave statement was made in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) when replying to a question regarding the position in Syria. He said: "Detailed information at the disposal of the Uritish Government shows the French authorities in fcyna are allowing German aircraft to use byrian aerodromes as starting Posts for flights to Iraq. His Majesty's Government has, in consequence, given lull authority for action to be taken against these German aircraft on Syrian, aerodromes.

The Jreneh Government cannot escape responsibility for this position. Its action under German orders in permitting these flights, is a clear breach of the armistice terms and is inconsistent with •undertakings given by the French Government." Replying to a supplementary question, Mr Eden said proper action had been taken.

DOES MANDATE EXIST? A lurtlicr question suggested that Knee the Vichy Government had lett the League ot Nations the French mandate no longer existed. Mr Eden said there was certainly force in the suggestion and he would look into the matter. The United States has been informed of what is taking place. In view ol Mr Eden's revelation, it »s recalled that on April 7 Marshal Peta.in, broadcasting an appeal lor national unity, said: "Our honour torpids us to take any action against our former allies, but'the integrity oi our country demands that the sources of our vital supplies should be preserved. It is against these needs that dissident propagandists are daily in revolt. The blood of Frenchmen has already flowed in fratricidal fighting. That is enough."

DARLAN-lIITLER TALKS USE OF SYRIA MAIN THEME. LONDON, May 15. The Daily Telegraph says tiiere is reason to believe that the meeting ot the French Cabinet at which Admiral Darlan's negotiations with Hitler were approved was concerned with the situation in Syria. The Telegraph says that Hitler is reported to v have sent for Admiral Darlan in order to demand an assurance that if Germans were landed in Syria by air the French garrison would be withdrawn or refrain from intervening.

When Hitler sends for a foreign statesman to hand him an ultimatum, he usually acts as though the terms hare already been fulfilled, and consequently one rhay expect to hear at any moment that German planes carrying troops and material have actually landed at Aleppo. The possibility of landings from (,he sea must also be considered.

It is officially announced in Vichy that the Cabinet decision approving Hitler's requirements was unanimous The official report after the meeting of the Cabinet in Vichy was merely a smoke-screen, maintaining the pretence that Admiral Darlan's visit was intended to conclude the economic negotiations, which actually already had been concluded, says the Telegraph. Britain, it adds, is bound by her declaration of July, 1940, in which it was stated that she could "not allow Syria to be occupied by a hostile Power, or be used as a base for attacks on other countries in the Middle East." It is believed that the implications of this declaration are now under

discussion between Vichy, London, and Washington. .The official news agency in Vichy announced that two German planes landed on an aerodrome in the region

of Mosul. Iraq. It is not known whether they were civil or military machines, for which reason it is unwise, to deduce that this is the start of military aid to Iraq. SLAUGHTER OF CATTLE.

The Vichy Minister of Agriculture

OL Caziot)' announced that 1,200,000 head ot cattle are to be slaughtered be- * cause fodder is 4,410,000 tons l>elow the amount required. This was a result of last season's poor harvest, the ravages of the war. and the blockade.

GERMANS IN IRAQ REPLY TO RASHID'S APPEAL. (British Official Wireless.) <Rcc. 10.45'a.m.) RUGBY. May 15. The arrival of German aircraft in Iraq is recorded in a Middle East communique which states that, following an urgent appeal by Rasliid Ali to the .Axis partners, a certain number of German aircraft have now arrived in the country. The machines brought propagandists, agitators and other similar Axis specialists. The situation at Basra and Habbaniyah is quiet. An R.A.F. communique says: In Iraq, the Amaru barracks ami compound were attacked yesterday by aircraft of the. Fleet Air Arm. Direct hits were obtained on buildings. Our aircraft also scored direct hits on an insurgent small arms laclory at Mussiyb, a petrol dump at Rasehid, and motor transport. A fire was started in the factory. NAZI 'PLANKS DISGUISED. :(Rec. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. According to Reuter's Cairo correspondent, a number of German planes with disguised markings have landed at three Syrian' aerodromes, apparently hound for Iraq. Two Axis military missions have arrived at Bagdad after flying over Syria. I'hc Italian mission consists of two air generals, wtih their staffs, and the German mission 15 members, who arrived in two planes. A high German personage at Beirut is conferring with -iho Italian mission and the French authorities.

SOOTHING NOTE TO TURKEY. LONDON, May 15. The German Ambassador to Turkey (Herr von Papen) is reported, oil his return to Ankara from Berlin, to have brought a personal Note to President Inonu from Herr Hitler. Von Papen •was received by the President and the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Sara-, coglu) was present. The Note from Hitler is described as "being "soothing." The last time such a Note was sent from Hitler was just before the German invasion of Greece.

RASHID ALUS CLIQUE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 14. The Secretary for India (Mr Amery), making a reference to Iraq in the House of Commons, said: "We forced fashid Ali and his clique to show thenhand in the vain hope that German ],... could reach them in time,", he Si..d