LAVAL’S EVIDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 6 August 1945, Page 5

LAVAL’S EVIDENCE

NO HATRED FOR ENGLAND SECRET ALLIANCE WITH MUSSOLINI WITNESS’S AIR OF ASSURANCE Paris, Aug. 3. M. Laval, giving evidence at the Petain treason trial, said he had no particular hatred for England and was firmly opposed to the 1940 armistice, but felt the French Government should remain in France and not abandon the French people to the enemy. Hundreds of policemen cleared the corridors of the Palais de Justice before Laval was brought into the courtroom. He entered the court under close, armed guard. He did not take the oath but began his evidence immediately. Laval said he signed a secret alliance with Mussolini after 1936 binding Italy and France together against German aggression. Secret military agreements Were signed between Gamelin and Badoglio. Witness said he fought obstinately against the war. He felt the foreign policy of France was bound to lead to war. Referring to the Hoare-Laval secret agreement when Italy invaded Abyssinia, Laval said: “My plan with Sir Samuel Hoare was wrecked by political persons, both in London and Paris. The agreement was known to Baldwin and the entire British Government.” Laval said the agreement was signed to prevent the spread of German aggression. Britain was informed of the secret alliance with Mussolini. Witness said Mr Eden informed him that the Prince of Wales wished to see him privately.

“We met alone,” said Laval. “I told him of the alliance. The Prince of Wales agreed- that the policy was th e only one possible. I informed the Prince that the Abyssinian situation might provoke war. I even recommended to the Prince of Wales that we consult with Germany. My whole effort was to save Europe. I asked the Prince of Wales to continue his efforts towards peace and suggested that he should discuss the matter with his father. I told Ramsay MacDonald, ‘Let us link hands from London to Moscow against Hitler.” A wave of sarcastic laughter swept the court when Laval said he respected human life. Laval said 80 per cent, of Parliament favoured an armistice. It seemed enormous to try to place the blame on Petain, blame for the fact that before the war credits for war material were not used or were badly used. Witness said he was correcting the legend that he was Petain’s evil genius. Petain had not consulted him on the formation of his first cabinet. Witness had no function in that government. He was charged with the difficult mission of opening, relations with the Germans. He had nothing to do with the laws Petain instituted against the Jews . and Freemasons, which were drawn up by the Ministries of Justice and the Interior. The Germans demanded that a number of these measures should be taken. Laval admitted he made his oft quoted remark, “I desire a German victory,” but claimed that this was one of his ruses to make the Germans think he was on their side.

His evidence was interrupted for the court to hear de la Pommeraye, who was Senate Secretary, describe the Parliamentary meeting when Petain signed the Constitutional Act. De la Pommeraye, turning to Laval, cried, “And you said, M. Laval, ‘that is how a republic is overthrown.’ ” There were loud exclamations in court. Laval looked startled and j said, “I do hot remember that. Perhaps I wanted to make a joke. I am a Republican and I did not want to overthrow the republic. I am neither Fascist nor Nazi. Oh, you can laugh, but I have always been a Republican.” Laval, showing an assurance that amounted to impudence, was as much at home during the trial as ever he had been in the French Chamber. The trial was adjourned. SERVED HIS COUNTRY Paris, Aug. 4. Laval resumed his evidence at the Petain trial. Laval questioned on the compulsory drafting of French labour to Germany, said it was necessary to negotiate a compromise with the Germans. “We had 60,000 liberated war prisoners in France who were only on parole and could be taken back to Germany. Collaboration was forced on us. France was being suffocated by the Germans. They had a stranglehold by two means of pressure, a threat to take •back war prisoners, and starve us of all the coal, steel and oil. There were a million unemployed in France. The fifty-two departments occupied by the Germans represented 80 per cent, of France’s economic resources. France without Germany’s help could not have lived more than two months. I got 100,000 war prisoners back in exchange for 300 French workers. Belgium, who had no Government, sent 80 per cent, of her workers to Germany. France, who had a Government, sent 16 per cent. I served my country by reducing to a minimum the burden imposed on her.” The judge (interrupting): “It is a matter of opinion.”

Laval, replying to the judge’s questions on the North African landings, said Admiral Darlan gave orders to repel aggression by either side. Some military leaders resisted for ten days in accordance with their orders. “As a result of the long work put in by the Americans before the landings the state of mind among French generals underwent a change.” There was laughter when Laval explained that French generals decided to co-operate with the Americans when they saw how large were the forces—“ Forerunners of the liberation of France.” Laval said: “I undertook not to sunrrender the fleet to the Germans. The fleet was not surrendered, but was Merselkebir (the scene of th e Oran engagement), the action of an ally.” The judge: “We had no right to join the other camp.” Laval: “Those are the words of a man speaking five years later.” The judge: “With great generosity Britain agreed to France giving up the fight. I am sure she never agrbed that France should cross over to the enemy.” Laval said Petain was not free in his actions. The Germans compelled him to send messages and the order to resist th e Allies in North Africa was extorted. The judge: “We are here to find out whether you committed crimes or acted merely as a politician. You delivered Jews to the Germans.” Laval: “I prevented French Jews losing their nationality by establishing a court of magistrates. They did what they could. I congratulate them.” Laval denied that the United States made a move to break off relations after his broadcast, in which he said he wished for a German victory. Laval said he told Admiral Le«hy (U.S. Ambassador) and other Ameri-

can officials of his policy a few days after the broadcast. Laval said: “This trial is illogical. The prosecution’s argument is untenable because what we did was indispensable to enable France to keep alive.” SCUTTLING OF FRENCH FLEET Laval said he knew nothing of scuttling th e French fleet at Toulon until the German Minister, von Nidda, visited him in the small hours of the morning and told him the German Army was in Toulon. Laval said he protested and called the Ministers together. He telephoned to Toulon and learned that ship after ship was exploding. “If our relations with the Germans were as intimate as alleged the Germans would have warned us, but they knew our answer would have been a curt refusal. They as usual tried to capture our warships by force and violence.” Laval claimed that he saved two former Premiers, Reynaud and Blum, from being shot. Laval said after the Allied landings at Algiers a courtmartial sentenced to death a French colonel. The Germans wanted to shoot Blum, Reynaud and Mandel as a-reprisal. “I prevented this.” Laval said Mandel’s assassination grieved him. “I, do not approve of assassination as a method of government. “Darnand was forced on the Government as police chief. I protested vigorously but vainly. I asked myself whether I should stay in office. In not going I did myself harm but rendered service to the country.” While he was in office the numbers of Frenchmen interned was reduced from 25.000 to 5000. “Petain knew of my efforts and approved of them.” The prosecutor, Mr Nornet, read pencil drafts made by Petain for broadcasts in which General de Gaulle was denounced as a traitor. Nornet agreed that the broadcasts were never delivered, and added: “I consider such writings as good as deeds.” Petain exclaimed. “That’s top much.” Cable news In this issue has been re reived by telegraph and is copyright to the Press Association. By special arrangement Reuter's world service, in addition to other sources of information, has been used in its compilation ind all rights concerning its re-publi-cation in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.