TRIAL OF LAVAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23324, 6 October 1945, Page 5

TRIAL OF LAVAL

First Day Ends In Uproar Accused Ordered From Court Bv Telegrapn -N 7. A«sn Convrlgh’ (7.30 p.m.) PARIS, October 4. The first day of Pierre Laval's trial ended in uproar to-night with the Judge, M. Mongibeaux, ordering the accused from the court and announcing that the trial would continue to-morrow without Laval being present. There was a series of extremely heated exchanges between Laval and M. Mongibeaux. ending with Laval shouting: “All right. Condemn me now—at least the situation will then be clear.” Charges against Laval include plotting against the security of the State by hindering the Government’s move to North Africa, suppressing the constitution of the Republic, creating an authoritarian regime. encouraging racial antagonism, contributing to the loss of the merchant and naval fleets, intelligence with the enemy by nego-

tiating with the Germans, organising the shipment of slave labour to the Reich, declaring “I desire victory for Germany,” and facilitating the landing of Axis troops to oppose the Allies in North Africa.

Laval faces a jury drawn from the same panel as that which last night condemned Joseph Darnand to death. The trial began sensationally when defence lawyers attempted to resign as a protest over what they called an illegal pre-trial examination of their client.

There were tmultuous scenes as Laval shouted: “I am a patriot and I will prove it.” The judge? M. Mongibeaux, the prosecutor. M. Mornet, and all the jurors joined in, jumping to their feet to shout him down.

The judge silenced Laval, and after an angry exchange. M. Mornet rose to protest against the defence allegations.

Laval, glaring with hate at M. Mornet, shouted: “You can condemn me. but you have no right to insult me.” The judge tried to speak, but his voice was drowned by cries from • the packed gallery. Police hurried to Laval, who apologised. M Mongibeaux suspended the session after a further disturbance in which he refused to let Laval speak. Conducts Own Defence After two adjournments, in which the court found it impossible to persuade or order Laval’s counsel to resume the defence and refused Laval’s application for a postponement, the accused again entered the court. Counsel refused to continue the defence on the grounds that there was insufficient time to prepare the case. The judge announced that the trial would continue without counsel. They had had two and a half months to prepare the case, and he was convinced they could present an adequate defence if they wanted to. Laval then declared that he would conduct his own defence. In a statement to the court, Laval said that when he reached Bordeaux in 1940 the decision to sign the armistice had already been taken, and it was M. Albert Lebrun (President up to July, 1940) who should be in the dock, not he. Accused added that he told them there could be no two opinions about an armistice, which was a question for the military authorities. He had three main policies. First, never to declare war against the Anglo-Saxons; second, never to accept German rule, and third, never to allow adventurers to take office.

Asked why he counselled M. Lebrun not to go to North Africa, Laval said: “I thought that going to Africa would

be madness. The Spanish Government would have welcomed the Germans, who would have struck through Spain, and the French could not have prevented an invasion of Africa.” Attempting to justify collaboration, Laval declared that he - was working under the noses cf the Germans, and collaboration was his only course. Laval then asked the court to adjourn because he was too tired. He began repeating his former argument that the trial should be postponed to enable him to prepare his case. M. Mongibeaux and Laval began heated discussion across the court, each taking furiously. The judge finally shouted: “If you interrupt again you will be removed.”

Laval broke in angrily, whereupon the judge shouted: “Take him out.” Laval shrugged his shoulders and replied: “I will go out myself.” The sitting ended with the judge ordering the arrest of the son of Pierre Cathala, one of Laval's ex-ministers who. as a spectator, had applauded Laval's remark: “All right. Condemn me now—at least the situation will then be clear.” Lawyers Reverse Decision (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) PARIS. October 5. Laval's lawyers have reversed their decision not to continue the defence, all saying that they would appear at to-day's hearing. Death Sentence For Darnand PARIS, October 3. The High Court sentenced Joseph Darnand, head of the Vichy Militia, to death, and confiscated his properly. Darnand chiefly relied for his defence on (he authority of Marshal Petain, contending that it was his duty to follow him. He denied that he belonged to the Oagoulard (hooded men) organisation md said he mustered young men of ■evolutionary type for his militia hich he saw as the sole bulwark ivainst anarchy. The Special Courts under his autho-

rity never had, to the best of his belief, condemned members of the Resistance movement, except when a murder had been committed. He admitted that grave excesses, even crimes, were committed by the militia, but said he condemned these excesses and punished those guilty. Darnand reeled and almost collapsed when the verdict was given. The charges against Darnand Included having enrolled recruits for a foreign Power against Fiance, having participated in attempts to demoralise the nation, having in September. 1914. at Belfort, aided and abetted the fraudulent conversion of 30.000,000 francs and a certain amount of gold seized by his militiamen from the Bank of France by an irregular requisition order, having as head of the Vichy Militia sent expeditions against the Maquis and caused the assassination: >f the former Ministers, Jean Za.y and Georges Mandel.