LAVAL TAKES OVER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 119, 20 April 1942, Page 5

LAVAL TAKES OVER

HIS FIRST VISITOR LONG TALK WITH MARSHAL (United Press Association —Copyright.) (11.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 19. A Vichy message states that Laval has taken up the office of Chief of the Government and has begun work at the Hotel Du Pare. His first visitor was Marshal Retain with whom he had "a long and cordial talk." Laval also saw Darlau and authorised circles stated that there was complete accord of views between the two.

Interviewed, Laval said: "I am very touched by the welcome Marshal Petain has given me. Many difficulties have been, smoothed out and my task has been greatly facilitated by the Chief of State's very clear understanding of the present situation. It is not correct to say that Marshal Petain has relinquished his powers. I am head of the Government bv virtue of the power which Marshal'Petain has delegated to me. but the authority of Marshal Petain is indispensable for the accomplishment of my mission. I shall find it necessary if* I am to succeed to support myself by his wisdom and experience." The new Vichy Cabinet comprises:— M. Pierre Laval: Chief of the Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Interior and Information. M. Barthelemy: Minister of Justice. General Bridoux: Minister of War. Admiral Auphand: Minister of the Navy. General Jeanne Quin: Minister of Air. M. Paul Marion: Minister of Propaganda. M. George Hilare: Minister of the Interior and the Prefecture. M. Rene Bosquet: Secretary for Police. M. Pierre Cathala: Minister of Finance. M. Hubert la Gardelle: Minister of Labour. M. Brevie: Minister of the Colonies. M, Abel Bonnard: Minister of Education. M. Francois le Hideux: Minister of Industrial Production. M. Raymond Grasset: Minister of Health. M. Gibrat: Minister of Communications. M. Max Bonnafous: Minister of Agriculture and Food Supplies. M. Jacques Barnaud: Delegate-Gen-eral for Franco-German Economic Relations.

M. Lucien Rornier :• Minister without portfolio Count do Brinon, Admiral Platon and MM. Benoist Mcchin and Gueraro become Secretaries of State to M. Laval. Admiral Darlan's name is omitted from the list, but M. Marion issued a statement saying that he still remains Marshal Pctain's designated successor as Chief of the French State and is also Commander-in-Chief of the French Forces, having tho right to attend meetings of the Council of Ministers at which questions relating to Ins office are discussed. RESPONSIBLE TO MARSHAL.

"President Laval will be responsible to Marshal Petain and Avill assume the direction of tho tone of foreign policv," M. Marion stated.

'The Vichy news agency says that Admiral Darlau remains the second personage in tho State as the successor to Marshal Petain; and M. La-'al is the third personage. Informed circles in London are of the opinion that the names show that Laval intends to keep power mainly in his own hands. Most of the Ministers are not known to the average Frenchman. Marion and the Fascist Cathala have been in two previous Laval Cabinets. Benois Mcchin has a sinister record. Free French circles say: "Laval has chosen mostly men whose German sympathies arc not too well known in the hope of placating America, but at least they are known among Free Frenchmen in connection with the Paris quisling clique." ft is learned in London that the Voder of tho free Yugoslav army, General Mikhailovitch, has appealed to Marshal Petain to "give the signal that is awaited by all the depressed people of Europe from the People of France to raise the banner ol freedom which the French people for so many centuries waved at the head ol the nations of Europe." Buenos Aires reports that the French Ambassador in Argentina, M. Marcel Payrouton, has informed Marshal Petain of his resignation following the appointment of Laval.

BERLIN SUPPORT. Berlin radio, commenting on the Vichy Cabinet, says: "M. Laval in his first term of office, showed understanding of the new order and opposed Communism. Germany, therefore, is not unfavourably disposed to his return. M. Laval is, no doubt, aware that' lie will have to start from scratch and that lie has heavy tasks ahead. Germany will not be in his way when he tackles these tasks." The Times correspondent on the French frontier says that because of Laval's return the strength of the French police has been hastily increased by nearly 4000 in the Seme Department, which includes Paris, and by 1500 in the unoccupied zone. The German news agency reports from Vichy that M. Nomdamel, Con-troller-General of the French Criminal Police, has been relieved of his post. The German authorities have announced the shooting of 35 more hostages in occupied Franco as a reprisal for attacks against German troops. LONDON, April 19. The Moscow Tass Agency says it is reported from Geneva that a French and German agreement, under which three French battleships and other warships were placed under German naval control, became Operative on April 14. The agreement also provides for the establishment of German military control over most of the important bases in the . unoccupied zone in France; also in French north-west Africa.