Terms Not Yet Accepted

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 259, 1 November 1940, Page 8

Terms Not Yet Accepted

Petain Announces His Decision to “Collaborate” United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, October 30. “Something has gone wrong with Berlin’s plans for France,” says the correspondent of the American newspaper Chr; 4 '"" si,—„i, +v- m Europe. He adds: “It can be stated on high French authority that France is standing firm against the German proposals for collaboration for European peace. It is stated authoritatively that all rumours concerning peace or peace preliminaries, the cession of colonics, the surrender of strategic military bases, permission for the passage of Axis troops across unoccupied France, the collaboration of the French Fleet against Britain, or the voluntary surrender of any part of France are untrue.” It is authoritatively stated in London that there arc indications that the power of the British Navy is encouraging certain elements in France, and especially in the French colonies, to resist the German terms for collaboration. It is reported that the Germans have expressed displeasure at the reserved nature of the Vichy Government’s announcements on the French-German consultations.

The French Prune Minister, Marshal 3 etain, in a broadcast to-day from .yons, said: “My interview with ■iitler, which raised hope and caused inxiety, was made possible thanks tc he dignity of the French people in the ■ace of their ordeal, thanks to their snormous effort towards regeneration hanks to the heroism of our sailors and he energy of our colonial leaders and he loyalty of the native populations. •Vance has rallied to this first meeting between the victor and the vanquished, t rignifies France's first vindication. "I have accepted the principle of elaboration between the two countries,*’ iTcrshal Petain added. “The salvation *f France is first of all in our own lands. The first duty of every Frenchnan i 3 to trust. "I remind those who doubt and those •ho harden their hearts that the most or sise worthy reserve and‘pride, if per.isted in to excess are in danger of osing their effectiveness. He who akes charge of France s destiny haa he duty of creating the most favouriblc atmosphere to safeguard the coun.ry's interest. Aggression Excluded ' T have entered the road of collaboration with honour in order maintain French unity within the framework of the new European order. I met Hitler of my own free will; I was not under dictation or pressure from him. We discussed collaboration, and the method for its application w3l be announced later. “Our collaboration must be sin•ere, although aggression must be excluded,** said Marshal Petain. “France has numerous obligations to the victor. France's sovereignty imposes the obligations to defend . her coil. Follow me. Keep your trust in eternal France.** Hitler, In a message to Mussolini tolay said: “On returning to Germany, I wish to express ray cordial thanks for the hospitality and the welcome accorded me at Florence. The Florentines’ boundless enthusiasm proves that the Italian-German clliance and our complete identity of views, which we confirmed afresh at these meetings, is implanted in the hearts of your people. Thankr to the power of our armies and the faith of our peoples, nobody can any longer rob us cf victor?'.” What the Axis Requires. The Turin newspaper Stamps says: *'A fundamental premise regarding future relations between Franca and Italy lies in obtaining proof that the Vichy Government is resolved to enter the new Ruropeai situation.” The French newspaper Figaro says: “The principle of French-German collaboration lcid down at the historic meetings between Marshal Petain anc Hitler and M. Laval and von Ribbentrop opens favourable prospects for France.'* A Vichy message says that the Gov. ernerj of the French colonies have bean given dictatorial control after the suspension of the provincial administration. The Berlin rows agency says that Marshal Petain has accepted the resignation of M. Charles Roux, Secre-tary-General of the French Foreign Ministry