PETAIN CHARGED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 28 October 1941, Page 5

PETAIN CHARGED

INTRIGUES WITH AXIS MOVE FOR SEPARATE PEACE PRE-ARMISTICE ACTIVITY ARTICLE IN FREE FRENCH TAPER (Rec. !),() a.m.) London, Oct. 27.1 Was Marshal Petain the secret weapon with which Hitler threatened France before the May, 1940, oIU-nsive? M. Maurice Dejean, General do Gaulle’s Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, asks this question in an article in the Free French newspaper, “France.” He was Chef de Cabinet for Foreign Affairs under M. Daladier and M. Reynaud. The article says that Marshal retain, when Ambassador in Madrid in November, 1939, was the chief figure in with the Axis. Count de 'lirinon! the I Vichy envoy to Paris, and M. Bcnoist Mechin < now Vichy Minister without portfolio) also participated. M. Dejean told M. Daladier. who said: “Aren’t you aware of Re tain’s activities? 1 never sleep when he is in Paris.” The articles alleges that Marshal Pe-I tain’s intrigues with the Axis had been] going on for several years under the | direction of Commandant Lacau, Marshal Petain’s former chief of the military secret service. Lueau was arrested at the outbreak of the war on suspicion of pro German activities, but was released at Marshal Petain’s demand. M. Dejeuns adds: “I learned in Madrid after the armistice that Petain] and Lacau were in constant relations with Laval after the autumn of 1939.“ ' REWARDS FOR FRENCH INF OKMEKS The German commander in occupied France, General Stuelpnagel, announced that some Frenchmen have given] information and refused material re-j ward and that therefore all their rela 1 | will be released and returned to France ] immediately. j French men and women exiles and I refugees prayed in the remains of a | French church in London for the huni dred hostages tinder sentence of death jat Nantes and Bordeaux. Prayers are j being offered daily. INTERNAL FRONT IN ITALY London, Oct., 2G. j The Home newspaper “Regime Fasjcista” appeals to the authorities to take severe measures against "fifth column” activities in Italy. [ “There exists in Italy,’’ it says, “an (internal front which is vastly powerful land extremely dangerous. It has relaI lions with the British, Communists and (Jews throughout the world. We must | expel the snipers of the internal front ] and send them to the concentration ; camp.” The article concludes: “Italy, wake ! up; the country is in danger.” ] Signor Mussolini declared to-day that I Italy was deterinined to light “till final victory.” He was addressing peasants | who are to be given holdings on the re_ j claimed Pontine Marshes.