NEARING A CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 7

NEARING A CRISIS

POSITION IN VIGHY THE GERMAN DEMANDS CONTRADICTORY RUMOURS (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) KUGBY,. Feb. 4. (Received Feb. 5, at 11 p.m.) Although only the scantiest information, derived mainly from indirect sources, is available in London, little doubt is felt that the state of tension that exists between the Vichy Government and Herr Hitler has reached a critical stage. Contradictory rumours have been current on all aspects of the latest developments, but a report which finds general acceptance in the press is that Admiral Darlan at his meeting in Paris yesterday gave Herr Hitler’s personal Ambassador, Otto Abetz, some indication of Marshal Petain’s reply to Herr Hitler’s recent Note, which has been described as curt and threatening. The Times, in a leader, says: " Everything indicates that a crisis has been reached, and the strongest pressure is being brought to bear on Vichy to accept, the German demands, the precise nature of which can still, only be guessed. The reappointment of M. Laval to a leading Cabinet position would be personal humiliation to Marshal Petain, who dismissed him recently for more than sufficient reasons. It would be an affront to a large majority of the French people, whose opinion of this astute turncoat was not formed yesterday, but what Herr Hitler really wants from the Vichy Government is something far more concrete and far more important. Unless all the omens are false, the principal point at issue is possession of the French Mediterranean bases and possibly of the units of the French Fleet still congregated there.”, ADMIRAL DARLAN RETURN TO VICHY LONDON, Feb. 4. (Received Feb. 5, at 9,45 p.m.) Admiral Darlan, on arrival at Vichy from Paris, immediately saw Marshal Petain. M. Flandin and General Huntziger joined the meeting, which lasted for an hour and a-half, after which Admiral Darlan again conferred with Marshal Petain alone. ; , " The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press stated that - the latest attempt at rapprochement between M. Laval and Marshal. Petain was not entirely successful Admiral Darlan consequently will soon return

to Paris to keep the negotiations open. He is making an effort to bring M. Laval’s ambitions within limits acceptable to Marsha] Retain, German-inspired reports state that M. Laval wlil have important positions in the new Government, and it, is reported that Germany is insisting that he should have far-reaching powers. M. Laval did not return to Vichy with Admiral Darlan, as was expected. An appeal was launched over the French radio requesting loyalty to Vichy. Frenchmen were asked to assist by preserving their loyalty and not disrupting civil life. A Swiss newspaper states editorially that Admiral Darlan would make no peace that would be dishonourable to France. Another Swiss newspaper states that conditions in unoccupied France are appalling, and are far worse than imagined. Shoes, drugs, and woollen clothing are practically unobtainable. NAZI WARNING TO FRANCE "INEXCUSABLE FRIVOLITY" STUTTGART, Feb. 4 (Received Feb. 5, at 9.45 p.m.) The radio broadcasting in French warned France not to place hopes in a. British victory, Such an attitude showed “inexcusable frivolity bordering on high treason.” . , “Unless all Frenchmen make’ up their minds without delay to carry out the readjustment indispensable in political, economic and social spheres,” said the announcer, “ the difficulties under -which France is labouring will grow worse—possibly with disastrous speed.”