VICHY HAS DROPPED MASK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21970, 23 May 1941, Page 5

VICHY HAS DROPPED MASK

Drawing Closer To Germany Military Talks In Paris By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. 11.10 pan.) LONDON, May 22. According to the Madrid correspondent of the “Dally Mail” General von Brauchitsch as gone to Paris for important talks which may decide the future extent of French and German collaboration. He met General von Stuelpnagel, commanding the German Army of Occupation, who is also participating in the talks. The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press says that General Huntziger and M. Bouthillier (members of the French Cabinet) joined Admiral Darlan in The “Daily Telegraph” says that yesterday’s meeting of French Cabinet members in Paris may be a preliminary to the regular operation of the French Government from Paris, but Germany has not yet made this concession. The British Ministry of Economic Warfare announced that it had gained possession of an order signed on behalf of Admiral Darlan Instructing the captains of French merchantmen to scuttle ships to avoid capture by the British. "The Times” says that apparently there Is no German demand, however humiliating, which the Vichy Government can or will refuse. The extent of French complicity in Germany’s military operations is attested by the abundant evidence that Vichy has sc far withheld from the French nation President Roosevelt’s recent protest and warning. The men of Vichy have no Illusions regarding the detestation that their policy would provoke among

the masses of French people who at heart are still loyal to the old sympathies and are still imbued with a traditional love of freedom, but France is suffering absolute bankruptcy in leadership. Marshal Petain’s rule clearly Is no more than nominal. The policy dictated is being carried out by men without conviction, without loyalty and without any programme except personal profit and advancement. The German request that the United States withdraw its diplomatic representatives in Paris and also the conference of the Vichy Ministers in Paris and Germany emphasises that the French "now realise they have no choice but to submit.” France’s relations with the democratic world merge with the new and more crucial developments of the war situation. The representative of the “Dally Telegraph” on the French frontier says that Vichy correspondents agree that the Petain Government has “dropped the mask.” Nothing is now heard about adhering to the strict terms of the Armistice or respect for the difficulties of a former ally. After the fail of Yugoslavia and Greece the Vichy Government was convinced that a German victory was inevitable and had taken care to propagate this belief among French people who are allowed to hear little of Italy’s defeats in Africa but much about the prospect of an early peace, which they are told will, by Hitler’s magnanimity, give France a Europe second only to Germany’s. Among the advantages Hitler expects from Vichy’s compliance is the production of a state of affairs amounting between France and Britain resulting from hostilities between Vichy and Free French troops, also from other anti-allied action which Vichy admits it is contemplating. It is learned in authoritative quarters that the United States has made the equivalent of a diplomatic demand on Vichy for a forthright declaration m writing of France’s intentions regarding collaboration with Germany. The Berlin radio announced that land, sea and air forces at Martinique had received orders "to be prepared to repel any attack." The Panama correspondent of the New York Times” says that Martinique is becoming the propaganda centre in Latin-America for the distribution of Vichy information that aids the Axis powers. Funds are not likely to be available for this work from the Vichy Government. The question therefore arises whether they are furnished by Germany or are part of frozen French funds in the United States released for relief purposes in Martinique.” A French regiment in Syria has joined the Free French forces which entered the country, according to the Independent French Agency. A number of French pilots managed to escape to jom the Free French. Large French forces under General Dentz (the Vichy High Commissioner) apparently moved in to Lebanon to forestall possible intervention from Palestine The regiment which Joined French formed the rearguard of this force. , Syrlan authorities are meeting hostility even among the troops who reached Lebanon. According to the Berlin radio General Dentz announced that the British again bombed Rayak aerodrome. British planes from Palestine also bombed Messe and Kissu. .An Iraqi communique states: “The battle of Habbaniyah continues. Our planes bombed hangars and stores, causing considerable damage.” _. , Rebels Rounded Up T . he latest reports from Iraq state that rebel detachments are being rounded up, following the capture of Falluja and a number, of prisoners have already been taken. British fighters drove off an attempted enemy air attack, vhile British bombers raided the rebel aerodrome near Baghdad. Hangars and other buildings were severely damaged German aircraft raided the Habbaniyah aerodrome, causing slight dam-

age. They were intercepted by British fighters, which are believed to have shot down two. Many German aircraft that have been crossing Syria to Iraq have not reached their destination. Yesterday the Royal Air Force raided the aerodromes at Palmyra and Damascus. It is believed two Junkers 52’s were damaged at Palmyra, but the results of the raids on the Damascus aerodrome could not be observed. High authorities in Vichy declared that if Britain continues to bomb French aerodromes in Syria, France will inevitably carry out reprisals. Free French troops are reported to have penetrated into Syria, states the Independent French news agency’s correspondent in a dispatch from the Syrian frontier. Their strength and the conditions under which they crossed the frontier are unknown. Signs of lively reactions among the French garrison in Syria- may lead to support for General de Gaulle’s forces, although the Vichy Air Minister (M. Bergeret) is doing his utmost to stiffen the resistance.