DRAMA OF VICHY NEARS CLIMAX

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 5

DRAMA OF VICHY NEARS CLIMAX

AMERICAN WARNING FRENCH FLEET MUST NOT GO TO GERMANV PETAIN-LAVAL STRUGGLE FOR MASTERY {By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright J Received Feb. 7, 10.15 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 7. Among much comment of varying reliability on Marshal Philipe Petain's attempts to resist German machinations personified in M. Laval (deposed vice-Premier), correspondents of the Daily Express and the Daily Mail emphasise the American representation to Vichy of the United States' concern at the possibility of the French fleet being handed over to Germany.

The Mail’s correspondent says that I the drama of Vichy nears its climax. I Admiral Darlan, Naval Minister, arrived in Paris on Thursday night, hearing a compromise plan to Herr Otto Abetz, Nazi representative. He will confer with M. Laval, after which it is expected he will go to Vichy Before Admiral Darlan’s departure from Vichy the Cabinet held a lastminute meeting. Admiral Darlan, hardly left before Admiral W. D. Leahy, United States Ambassador to Vichy,’ visited Marshal Petain and strongly reiterated a warning that, the fate of the French fleet and the maintenance of its integrity was vitally important, to the United States. The correspondent adds that, the Vichy Government's counter-proposals to Hitler are: Marshal Petain to remain head of the State. Admiral Darlan to become Premier and Foreign Minister. M. Laval to be vice-Premier and Minister of the Interior. The Daily Telegraph says that the news from Vichy suggests that M. Laval is staking his whole political future by insisting on the control of power in the French Cabinet, while Marshal Petain is attempting to make him a member of a balanced quadrumvirate, over whose decisions Marshal Petain will retain a casting vote. The quadrumvirate would fall into two groups. One would comprise M. Laval and M. Poul Baudouin, both of whom are willing Io serve Germany's interests. The other would consist of Admiral Darlan and General Huntziger, who will not compromise French honour by allowing the armistice to be twisted into an alliance with Germany.