GERMAN PRESSURE ON VICHY

Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 5

GERMAN PRESSURE ON VICHY

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, April 25. Marshal Petain held a long conference today with Rear-Admiral Richard Leahy, the United States Ambassador to Vichy, the Soviet Ambassador, and the Spanish Ambassador. Admiral Darlan later returned from Paris and immediately saw Marshal Petain, who then summoned a meeting of the new National Council.

M. Marcel Deat reveals in Paris the nature of the German pressure on Vichy. He says: “Now is the time for the return of M. Laval and the removal of all pro-British supporters.” Admiral Darlan’s visit to Paris is believed in London to be in connection with negotiations for closer co-opera-tion between the French and German Governments. No information about the visit has been disclosed, but a meeting of the French Cabinet was held on his return, says another message. One of the most likely concessions the Nazis might offer is a reduction in the cost of Germany’s occupation of France and, should this be the case, it is probable that Admiral Darlan will describe such an offer as a further example of Nazi “generosity.” But the French people will be disinclined to consider the matter in the same light when the daily payment of 400,000,000 francs to Germany is considered. Should any reduction in this daily burden be considered it will only be because the Nazis have found that the payment of this sum is beyond France’s capability for the extended period of occupation which the Germans must now contemplate.