French Ships to Be Scuttled

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 121, 23 May 1941, Page 7

French Ships to Be Scuttled

To Escape Capture by

British

MORE EVIDENCE OF SUBSERVIENCE TO GERMANY

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

Received Thursday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, May 22.

The Ministry of Economic Warfare has announced that ij has gained posession of an order signed on behalf of Admiral Darlan instructing captains of French merchantmen to scuttle their ships to avoid capture by the British. The Times says: “Apparently there Is no Gorman demand however humiliating which the Vichy Government can or will refuse. The extent of French complicity in Germany’s military operations is attested by abundant evidence. Vichy has - thus far withheld from tho French nation President Roosevelt’s recent protest and warning. ‘ < The men of Vichy have no illusions regarding the detestation their policy would provoke among the masses of the French people who at heart are still loyal to their old sympathies and are stil limbued with the traditional love of freedom. But France is suffering from absolute bankruptcy of leadership. Marshal Petain’s rule is clearly no more than nominal. His policy is dictated and carried out by men without loyalty, without conviction and without any programme except personal profit and advancement. According to tho Daily Mail s Madrid correspondent General von Brauchitsch has gone to Paris for important talks which may decide the future extent of French and German collaboration. He met General von Stuelpnagel, commanding the German army of occupation who is also participating in the talks. The British United Press’ Vichy correspondent says General Huntziger (French) and M. Bouthillicr have joined Admiral Darlan in Paris.

The Daily Telegraph says yesterday ’s meeting of French Cabinet members in Paris may be a preliminary to the regular operation of the French Government from Paris, but Germany has not yet made this concession. Before holding the Cabinet meeting at Paris Admiral Darlan had to consult Herr Abetz (German envoy) who ordered him to dismiss M. Sellier on May 21.