LAVAL'S POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24897, 22 April 1942, Page 3

LAVAL'S POLICY

A FRANK ADMISSION ADHERENCE TO AXIS IDEAS (Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY. Apl. 20. M. Laval's broadcast to-night, which includes the declaration of his policy, occasions little comment, since Herr Hitler's new " Gauleiter of Vichy " has long been seen in his true colours. It is noted, however, that in a rare flash of frankness he admitted publicly complete adherence to the policy of his masters. Listeners to M. Laval's speech noted two revealing inflections in his delivery. The bitterness with which he reviled Britain showed clearly that recent comments on his character in this country have touched him on the raw. He accused Britain of forcing France into the war and then leaving France to her fate and attempting to destroy the French Fleet. He added: "To-day they fly over our skies and are destroying our homes." When speaking directly to the French peasants he changed his inflection to a wheedling emotionalism with a break in his voice. He tried to persuade them that his declaration was made in the agony of his soul. "It was in the little village where ] was born that I meditated this speech I am now making." he said. He stressed his anxiety over the fate of the motherland which pervaded his recent talks with Marshal Petain. In his appeal, however, could be heard the voice of the gauleiter. " I know you French peasants. I know you»generosity. I understand your jusi clamour for land-and liberty. I must, however, bring home the point that even liberty has its limits." The Berlin radio announced that Admiral Collinet, commander of the Fourth French Naval Squadron, has been nominated commander-in-chief of West Africa. TRUE COLOURS SHOWN HATRED OF BRITAIN (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Apl. 20. " My return to power means a rapprochement between France and Germany, for which I have always stood," declared M. Laval, in a broadcast address. "In my public life I have known difficult moments when the fate of France was in peril," he went on. "It is always at these times that I have come into power. I will do everything to try to ensure the safety of our country. It seems I will feel all the stronger defending it since I had no responsibility for the misfortune which fell on us. The Government will do its duty in seeking to reduce your sufferings. It will do its utmost to reduce restrictive measures; but you will understand that in exceptional times liberty has necessary limits, all temporary, we hope. The workers have nothing to fear and everything to hope for from the new regime. Liberty in the new jvorld will be protected, honoured and glorified, and so will spiritual values. " I have always declared a French and German rapprochement was a condition of European peace," M. Laval said. "We found in Germany—an unprecedented fact—a conqueror who agreed hot to abuse his victory, but offered France a place in the New Europe worthy of her past. The war has spread to all continents, and taken on a new significance, thus producing more imperious reasons for a reconciliation with Germany. "The gigantic battles being waged against Bolshevism have revealed the war's true meaning. Do you think that if Russia won she would halt at our frontier? I have never previously accepted any foreign influence, which explains the frequent loosing of pas'sion in England against me and my policy. No threat will to-day prevent me pursuing an agreement of reconciliation with Germany. Do you see another foreign policy which would better enable us to care for prisoners and lighten our burdens? " My thoughts go especially to those among you who have suffered from the attacks of our former ally, Britain." he continued. " These attacks are all the more fierce against our territories because she is unable to defend her own. In the moment of her danger Britain would complete the destruction of our homes which battles left unscathed. Would you agree, with British aid, to be sold out to the Bolshevist system, which would bring boundless misery? Socialism will be established everywhere under a new system allowing for the national characteristics of each people's aspirations. During long conversations with Marshal Petain I found we were united in heart and mind. These conversations were austere, because we both felt the same sacred anxiety for our country. I appeal to you to comprehend the meaning of my task, and sustain my effort." REACTION IN AMERICA DISCOURAGING TO VICHY RUGBY, Apl. 20. M. Laval's new position is widely discussed in the British press, where it is realised that, although he has made himself virtual dictator of France, surrounded by puppets, yet he will be expected to give implicit obedience to another dictator. Herr' Hitler. American reaction to M. Laval's appointment has been discouraging to Vichy, and active collaboration with the Nazis in the military and naval fields would be fatal to the maintenance of any relations with the United States.

Although Herr Hitler must always cast covetous eyes on the potential value of the French Fleet in Mediterranean operations, it is possible that any move in this direction will be carefully hidden —with consequences that cannot be predicted at present. M. Paul Meyrelle, a leading French diplomat in Brazil, lias resigned as a protest against Vichy collaboration with Germany.

NEW WAVE OF TERRORISM

FRENCH HOSTAGES SHOT (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Apl. 21. Laval's return to power has coincided with a new wave of terrorism in France. Thirty French again described as Communists and Jews, have been shot at Rouen as a reprisal for the derailment of a German troop train and a threat has been made that 30 more will be executed if the culprits are not found. In addition, 1000 prisoners drawn from the district of Le Havre to Cherbourg have been placed in concentration camps. In future, all German troop trains will carry French civilians.

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

DARLAN"S INTENTION

(Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON. Apl. 21. Admiral Darlan. the commander of the French sea, land, and air forces, lias issued an order of the day, in which he says: "You can rely on me to defend the Empire, under the authority of Marshal Petain." Attention has been drawn to the fact that Darlan made no mention of Laval.