WHITHER VICHY?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24604, 12 May 1941, Page 4

WHITHER VICHY?

Persistent reports in the Swiss press that Germany is bringing pressure on the Government at Vichy for permission to pass troops through Syria and other French possessions probably represent a true position. If the Nazis are intending to assist the Iraqi rebels —and they are evidently in need of assistance —a German landing in Syi'ia presents the best means of providing support. The statement in one Swiss newspaper that Vichy has actually agreed to such a concession should, in the meantime, be accepted with reserve. A decision of this nature on the part of Marshal Petain could be induced only by very powerful persuasion. The head of the French Government, though surrounded by advisers who appear for the most part to be antipathetic to Great Britain, remains an influential figure. There has never been a serious suggestion that the majority of French people, in both the occupied and unoccupied portions of the land, are disposed to favour the Nazis, who have humiliated their country and exposed it to the cold clutch of hunger. And Marshal Petain has pledged his word that French forces will not be used against their former Allies, that unoccupied French ports will not be given over to the enemy, and that the French colonial empire will remain neutral. The recent cabled messages concerning the relations of Vichy with the Nazis suggest, nevertheless, that Herr Hitler is bent upon redeeming his mistake in subduing France without obtaining control of such strategic French assets as the navy and the possessions in Africa and elsewhere. He is not a conqueror in the honourable mould, and is undoubtedly endeavouring to obtain now by threats and subtle bribery what eluded his grasp when the armistice was concluded. Vichy an-

nounced a few days ago the opening of the border between occupied and unoccupied France for the passage of supplies, with limited movement for French people between the two divisions of their unhappy land. There was a hint that a reduction in the crushing levy for support of the German army of occupation might be obtained. These are considerable concessions. The question is what concessions Vichy lias made to Germany in return —a question not adequately answered in the unofficial report that' unoccupied France will assist in repairing Üboats and the re-armouring of German tanks. The statement that, in the face of protests by General Weygand, Admiral Darlan is allowing Nazi "experts" into North Africa lends strength to the assumptions by the British press that Vichy has become a party to some sinister " deal." The control of French African aerodromes, the passage of troops through France to Spain, and through Syria, are obvious objectives of the German negotiations with the Vichy Government. Any interference with the status quo as defined in the armistice, and in negation of the Marshal's pledged word to Great Britain, could produce a material variation in the allegiances of the French colonies that remain loyal to Vichy. The potentials in the situation, though not favouring the British, are neither so weighted in favour of the Nazis as to encourage Herr Hitler to move precipitately in his effort to make France an actual partner in his struggle with Great Britain.