LAVAL IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25215, 3 May 1943, Page 3

LAVAL IN GERMANY

DISCUSSIONS WITH HITLER AXIS VIEWS RE-ECHOED LONDON, Apl. 30. Herr Hitler received M. Laval at his headquarters in the presence of Herr von Ribbentrop and Signor Bastianini, the Italian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. “All present,” says a communique from Hitler’s headquarters, “ showed complete understanding of the problems confronting Germany and Italy on the one hand, and France on the other. France’s share in the war effort and the sacrifices which the Axis Powers are ready to bear in building up a new Europe against Bolshevism and the British-American plutocracy were fully and objectively examined, and the advantages accruing to France through participation were also examined. M. Laval, at a press conference, said: “ My discussion at Herr Hitler’s headquarters was the first of its kind because it expressed the new character of the relations between France, Germany. and Italy. The public must realise that France’s contribution will determine her future status and future relations with the Axis Powers. France will have to earn her advantages by mobilising her labour.” M. Laval emphasised that the armistice remained in force unaltered. He repeatedly referred to the danger of Bolshevism for Europe and declared that M. Stalin already had plans to govern all European countries. M. Laval said that France was foolish to declare war for the defence of Poland, whose fate, particularly to-day, was more than uncertain.