LAVAL RELEASED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21841, 19 December 1940, Page 5

LAVAL RELEASED

Nazi Ambassador Intervenes Vichy Asked For Decision By Telpgraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 18, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON. December 17. A message from Vichy states that at the request of Herr Abetz (German Ambassador at Paris) the Government revoked the order for M. Laval’s confinement. After his release, M. Laval immediately returned to Vichy and had luncheon with Marshal Petain and Herr Abetz. Earlier, Marshal Petain had received Herr Abetz, who, with a military escort, travelled along a flag-lined route from his hotel. A small, silent crowd watched his progress. The Vichy correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that Herr Abetz expressed a desire to see both M. Laval and M. Flandin, but M. Flandin is confined to his bed with influenza, having a high temperature. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press reports that the authorities declared that Germany is still making an effort to fathom the motives for the dismissal of M. Laval, and is asking whether France intends to continue her advance in European policy which recognises the principles of Germany victory. The censorship impedes the reporting of the results of the conference with Herr Abetz. The French appear to be confident that collaboration with Germany will continue unimpeded. Plotting by Laval The Paris radio stated that Herr Abetz, during a three hour conference with Marshal Petain, at which M. Laval attended for the last half hour, disclosed that M. Laval before his arrest was plotting to establish a Government with its seat in Paris. He added that the Germans had approved the plan but Marshal Petain discovered the plot and ordered M. Laval’s arrest just in time. The Berne correspondent of the British United Press stated that M. Laval was forced to write his own resignation at a full meeting of the cabinet at which he was accused of attempting to supersede Marshal Petain. Other correspondents suggest that M. Laval’s attendance at the conference implies that Hitler seeks his reinstatement.

Mr E. B. Wareing, a former chief of the “Daily Telegraph’s” staff in Paris, reconstructing the plot, says Hitler planned to inveigle Marshal Petain to Paris on December 15 to attend the reburial of the ashes of Napoleon’s son. M. Peyrouton, however, stated to the cabinet his fears for Marshal Petain’s safety. Mr Wareing adds: “It is now believed that if Hitler and Marshal Petain attended the reburial the latter would have been in the same position as Dr. Hacha and ordered to sign a German dictated peace treaty. Marshal Petain’s refusal 'ould have been followed by a trumped up story of insanity and illness, thus giving M. Laval a legal pretext to assume power. M. Peyrouton, after the discovery of M. Laval’s designs took measures to prevent M. Laval from going to Paris where he intended to meet his fellowconspirators. Marshal Petain’s continuance in power may be conditional on his giving Hitler the right to transport troops ‘aerjss Vichy territory. Refusal might mea Marshal Petain’s supercession by M. Lav L Marshal Petain is unlikely to withdraw from France but other members of the cabinet might favour leaving for Africa in order to regroup themselves under General Weygand, who is reported to have recently expressed regre l- at his own action in breaking off the struggle on the erroneous ground that a French revolution was close at hand. M. Laval’s office was searched. One thousand police surrounded his hotel. M. Laval was arrested at 11 p.m. on December 13. A later message states that Herr Abetz left for Paris. Some reports say that M. Laval accompanied him.