DEVELOPMENTS IMMINENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 December 1940, Page 6

DEVELOPMENTS IMMINENT

IMPORTANT NEGOTIATIONS U.S. INTEREST IN FRENCH NAVY LONDON. 28th December. It is reported from Vichy that important negotiations between France and Germany are proceeding, in which developments are imminent which are likely to affect vitally France's domestic status and also her relations with the Axis. The Vichy Ambassador at Washington is reported to have told Mr Welles, Assistant Secretary of State, that M. Laval’s dismissal from office has removed any clanger that might have existed of Martinique being used by the Axis as a base against the United States. The Vichy Cabinet is reported to have adjourned last night without having reached a decision Its discussions will be continued to-morrow or Tuesday. Secrecy is being maintained, but it is understood that the Cabinet discussed matters of great importance after hearing the report of Admiral Darlan on his visit to Paris, where he met a ‘‘high German personage.” n ne report says Marshal Petain has -efused a German proposal for an alliance. DE GAULLE’S OFFER General de Gaulle, in a broadcast, announced his readiness to place the Free French forces at the disposal of the French Government if it decided to renew the struggle He said that if the French armies in North Africa and Syria and the French fleet were fighting for France now. the battle of the Mediterranean would end immediately witn a great French victory ADMIRAL DARLAN BUSY It is expected that more information about the situation in Vichy will be available in Washington after the new United States Ambassador, Admiral Leahy, has had time to draw up a report. He is now on his way to France in the cruiser Tuscaloosa. The future of the French navy Is of almost as vital interest to the United States as it is to Britain. Admiral Darlan returned only yesterday from a visit to Paris, the purpose of which .ias not been revealed. It is suggested th it he saw Herr Abetz, Hitler’s representative in occupied France, but this is not knowm It is known that on his return he had long conferences with Marshal Petain and other members of the Vichy Cabinet. One of the colie igues he saw was M. Peyrouton, who played so big a part in the fall of M. Laval.

The general belief is that Admiral Darlan’s mission was concerned with the German demands for naval help from France which have been keeping Vichy in a state of crisis for many days. The Algerian radio announced that a considerable number of French naval personnel are to be sent to North Africa on leave, which apparently is to last for a whole vear. This may mean that steps aie being taken to remove part of he French navy from Germany’s i^ach-