Quisling Laval Appeals lo France

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 94, 22 April 1942, Page 5

Quisling Laval Appeals lo France

Savage Attack on Britain

FULSOME PRAISE OF "CONQUEROR’’

Received Tuesday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, April 20.

“My return to power means rapprochement between France ana Germany for which 1 have always stood,” declared M. Laval, oroadcastmg. “In my pu-olic lire 1 have known dimcuit moments when the fate of France was in peril. It has always been at these times that I have come into power and 1 will do everything to try to ensure the safety of our country. It seems that I will reel all the stronger in defending it since i had no responsibility for tne misiortune which fell on us. The Government will do its duty in seeking to reduce your sufferings.

“It will do its utmost to reduce restrictive measures, out you will understand that in exceptional times liberty has its necessary limits —ail temporary, we hope. The workers have notning to fear and everything to hope from the new regime. .Liberty in the new world will be protected, honoured and glorified similarly to spiritual values. I have always declared that Franco-German rapprochement was a condition of European peace. We found in Germany unprecedented fact—a conqueror who agreed not to abuse his victory but offered France a place in the new Europe worthy of her past. “Tho war has spread to all continents and taken on new significance, producing more imperious reasons for reconciliation with. Germany. , The gigantic battles being waged against Boisfievisni have revealed the war’s true meaning. Do you think that if Russia won sue would halt at our frontier? I have never hitherto accepted any foreign influence which explains the frequent loosing of passion in England against me and my policy. No threat will to-day prevent me from pursuing agreement and reconciliation with Germany. Do you see another foreign policy which would better enable us to care for prisoners and lighten our burdens?

“My thoughts go especially to those among you who have suffered from the attacks of our former ally, Britain. Tfiese attacks are all the more fierce against our territories because she is unable to defend her own. In the moment of her danger Britain would complete the destruction of our homes whicfi the battles have left unscathed. W ould you agree with British aid to be sold out to tne Bolshevist system which would bring boundless misery? “Socialism will be estaoiished everywhere under the new system allowing for the national characteristics of eacn of the peoples ’ aspirations. During long conversations witn Marshal Detain l found that we were united in heart ana mind. These conversations were austere because we both feit tne same sacred anxiety for our country. I appeal ‘to you to comprehend the meaning of my tasK. and sustain me in my effort. ’ ’ Listeners to Laval's speecn noted two revealing inffections in his deiivery. The bitterness with which he reviled Britain showed clearly tnat recent comment on his efiaracter in this > country have touched him on the raw. fie accused Britain of forcing France into the war and tnen leaving x ranee to her fate and attempting to destroy the Frencn Fleet, .tie auaed: ‘ ‘ f'o-aay tney ffy over our skies and are destroying our homes.”

VVfien speaking directly to the French peasants, ne cnanged his inflection to wiieeoiing emotionalism. With a breais in his voice, he tried to persuade them that his declaration was made in agony of soul, “it was in a little village wliere X was born tnat I meditated tflis speech lam now making, ’ ’ lie said. He stressed the anxiety over the fate of tne motherland which had pervaded his recent talks with Detain.

in his appeal, however, could be heard the voice of the gauleiter: “I know you French peasants. I know your generosity. I understand your just clamour for a land of liberty. I must, however, bring home the point that even liberty ha 3 its limits. ’ ’

A Vichy News Agency gave the Fieach Peoples’ Party its version ox the Doriot incident. M. Doriot was concluding a lecture to a crowded house when a hand grenade was thrown from the second ganery and it would have exploded in the orchestra stalls but for the coolness of a woman who diverted the grenade which burst in the orchestra pit. It caused considerable damage and one person was slightly injured. Ihe police searched the auditorium but failed to find the bomb thrower, Berlin radio announced that Admiral Collinet, commander of the fourth French Naval Squadron, has been nominated as commander-in-chief of West Africa.