PETAIN DEMANDS OBEDIENCE

Southland Times, Issue 24437, 17 May 1941, Page 7

PETAIN DEMANDS OBEDIENCE

Broadcast To French People LONDON, May 15. Marshal Petain, Chief of the French State, in a broadcast, told the French people nothing of the concessions made by the Vichy Government during the talks just concluded between Admiral Darlan and Hitler. He referred to the meeting, but said only that the French people must follow him as Chief of the State without reservation.

If the present negotiations were successful, he said, France would be able to regain her greatness and to retain her position as a colonial Power.

It is now recalled in London as a commentary on the marshal’s latest speech—that on April 7, in rn appeal for national unity, the marshal said: “Honour forbids us to take any action against our former allies, but the integrity of our country demands that the sources of our vital supplies should be preserved. It is against these needs that dissident propagandists are daily in revolt. The blood of Frenchmen has already flowed in fratricidal fighting. That is enough.” DIRECT CONFLICT POSSIBLE Every London newspaper today comments on the French decision. The Daily Express says that the painful possibility of direct conflict with Britain’s former ally must be faced. Admiral Darlan was warned and must take the consequences. The Daily Mail declares that the time has gone when Britain’s desire not to enter into conflict with her old friend can be allowed to influence policy.

The News Chronicle declares that action is the only answer to the French decision. The Times and The Daily Telegraph both recall the British declaration that Britain could not allow Syria to be occupied by a hostile Power and used as a base for action against the Empire and its Allies.