PETAIN'S REPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23852, 31 December 1940, Page 8

PETAIN'S REPLY

LONDON REPORT STAND AGAINST NAZIS FRENCH WARSHIPS SAILING By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (.Received December .'to, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON", Dec. BO The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that in the message Admiral Darlan conveyed to Germany, Marshal Petain made it clear that he would not tolerate the passage of German troops across unoccupied France, and could not contemplate the employment by Germany of the French Navy. The correspondent also states that categorical assurances on these points were given to Britain. Reliable reports, the correspondent adds, suggest that a considerable number of French warships are steadily streaming to Casablanca. Dakar and other French African ports, possibly with the object of supporting a move to regain the loyalty ot these populations to Vichy. It is more probable, however, that they are moving in order to escape from the reach ol tin- Germans, and also to prevent Germany from extending the occupation to French Africa. Decisions Reached The Vichy radio announced yesterday that the Cabinet bad discussed the report that Admiral Parian brought from Paris and had arrived at certain decisions. A large number of naval ratings irnm unoccupied France will shortly land in Algiers "on leave," says the Sunday Times, but the radio at Algiers states that, they are going to North Atriea tor a year's stay. Darlan "Tougher Nut" The diplomatic correspondent of the Times states that the Germans are apparently finding Admiral Darlan a tougher nut than Laval, above all on naval questions. Possession of southern France would not be of economic advantage to the Germans, who would run ihe grave risk of the French Navy escaping and Marshal Petain establishing a Government in North Africa. The German-controlled Paris radio yesterday complained about the strong anti-German feeling in occupied France, and said that somehow the country must get rid of such people who, "through snobbery or stupidity, - side with the worst enemies of France."