FRENCH SURRENDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24250, 16 April 1942, Page 7

FRENCH SURRENDER

DEMANDS OF BERLIN COMING DRIVE IN RUSSIA EFFORT TO SECURE REAR LONDON, April 14 The announcement that Laval is entering Petain's Cabinet means nothing more nor less than the capitulation of Vichy, says the Times' correspondent on the French frontier. He adds: The whole situation in France after the virtual acceptance of the Berlin ultimatum may be briefly summarised as follows Vichy has given Germany a complete guarantee that both occupied and unoccupied France will resist a landing by British and American troops with all the strength at their command. For this purpose Vichy, at Berlin's behest, is now planning partial mobilisation. Young men from occupied

France have been recruited for service, and Vichy's naval forces will be allowed by the German occupation authorities to pass the demarcation line without hindrance. Ultimatum Expires To-day It is learned from authentic sources that Berlin's ultimatum to Vichy has expired once already, but has been prolonged with an explicit stipulation that it will expire finally on Thursday. The Vichy Cabinet nominally meets again on Thursday for a decision, but actually Vichy has already accepted, and the Government is accordingly being reconstructed from the persons designated by Berlin and Rome. In addition to Laval, Bergeret is definitely included. Berlin has demanded from Vichy guarantees about the immediate future because Germany is not willing to start an offensive against Russia with an "uncertain France" at her back. Vichy has given the guarantees required, under which Germany will dominate both North Africa and unoccupied France, not in the form of a new military occupation, but indirectly by sd-callecf invisible occupation. This means that the Germans will place their own controls in charge of all French ports, naval base* railway junctions and official quarters. Relations With America One point in the ultimatum concerned the breaking off of diplomatic relations between Vichy and Washington. Negotiations on this point are proceeding. Petain is' hesitating, but Darlan favours acceptance on the ground that the United States' position in the Pacific is such that it is not necessary longer to reckon with America as a potential winner of the war. The correspondent says authoritative observers point out that the German ultimatum to Vichy reveals the weakness of Germany's strategic position and complete military dependence on the continued docility of the French people, but they are of the opinion that if British and American forces actually landed in France, what would count would be the reaction of the masses of the French people, not the composition of the Vichy Cabinet, and thr*t is what the Germans fear. French Masses Opposed It is taken for granted that tho Americans will break off relations with Vichy. This alono must affect the _ attitude of the French masses to Vichy, thus widening the unbridgeable chasm; in other words, favouring invasion. Competent authorities indeed are of the opinion that the mere fact of Laval's entry into the Vichy Cabinet will intensify French determination to resist collaboration with Germany in every conceivable way.

FALKENIIORST IN NORWAY DIETL GOES TO FINLAND LONDON, April 14 A message from Oslo reports that General Falkenhorst has been reappointed commander of the German forces in Norway. General Dietl has been appointed to the Finnish Command. The first contingent of Norwegian internees, including members of the Oslo Town Council, have arrived at Dachau.