PASSAGE FOR NAZI TROOPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21960, 12 May 1941, Page 5

PASSAGE FOR NAZI TROOPS

Increasing Pressure On • Vichy By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. The Berne correspondent of the “Basler Nachrichten” says Wilhelmstrasse circles hint that Vichy has agreed to the passage of German troops through French provinces and mandated territories including Syria, as the price of German concessions to Vichy. Syria is reported to have been “placed at Germany’s disposal.” It is believed that Vichy also has agreed to take active steps against supporters of General de Gaulle, resulting in approval of the passage of Germans through all Free French colonies. In spite of protests from General Weygand, Admiral Darlan has allowed 200 German experts to land in French North Africa, says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph." The Germans recently applied for visas for experts to be attached to the various armistice commission groups. The experts proved to be German airmen in civilian clothes. When General Weygand heard of their imminent arrival he protested to Admiral Darlan stating that unless ordered to the contrary he would not allow the party to land. The first batch was turned back and then Admiral Darlan sent peremptory instructions to allow their entry. Most of the 200 have now arrived. It is assumed that their ultimate purpose Is to seize French aerodromes.

A message from Vichy states that French police rounded up 1800 refugees, mainly Jews, Czechs, Poles and Yugoslavs for assignment to the labour battalion in North Africa. Many had already received permits to leave France and had booked berths for America. Industrial Gains

According to information received by an independent French agency, the Vichy concessions to the Germans are mainly industrial. They include French assistance in rearmouring German tanks, also in connection with submarine repairs. Regarding the first concession, it is stated that the Balkan campaign proved that the armour of German tanks does not offer sufficient resistance to Britain’s new anti-tank weapons. Secondly, in view of the Royal Air Force damage inflicted on the submarine repair shops in German and the occupied French and Dutch ports, Grand Admiral Raeder wishes io transfer these shons to the interior —a plan in which French industry is expected to play an Important part.