TENSION IN FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 5

TENSION IN FRANCE

IMPORTANT DECISION EXPECTED GERMANY MAY HAVE GIVEN AN ULTIMATUM DISPOSING OF THE EMPIRE London, Aug. 10. Important decisions are likely to be made in Vichy to-day, affecting the French Colonial Empire. Indications point io a German ultimatum having been made, which expires to-day. Repeated meetings between Marshal Petain, Chief of the French State; Admiral F. Darlan. Vice-Premier; General M. Weygand, French Commander in North Africa and General M. Huntziger, a member of the Vichy Cabinet, indicate that they have been unable to agree as to what should be put before the Cabinet. The growing dislike of the French Cabinet, for the attitude of the United States is revealed in a statement by Count de Brinon. Vichy Ambassador in Paris, who had declared that Franco will accept the German version of the new world order, in preference to that of the United States and Britain.

(Recd. 8 p.m.) London. Aug. 9. Rumours of imminent “sensational events’’ are persistent in Vichy and I lie nolice force has been doubled in

al! the big towns in unoccupied Francsays the Daily Mail’s corresponded on the French frontier.

General Weygand has arrived in Vichy from Africa and. with Admiral Darlan. conferred with Marshal Petain.

It is believed that General Weygand’s visit is in consequence of- German pressure for air and naval bases in Dakar. Casablanca and Algiers. Anxiety is spreading throughout Morocco over Vichy's attitude towards the Axis. Since last Tuesday leave has been stopped for all Spanish troops in Morocco.

Well-informed quarters think a Spanish move to Morocco is not improbable. the Mail’s Madrid correspondent says. Although the manufacture of pianos is banned under the

Armistice. Germany is allowing lhe French to build squadrons of fighters and bombers for the defence of French North African colonies. It is also reported that Admiral Darlan is permitting the removal of heavycalibre guns from the French mainland to Casablanca and Dakar.— U.P.A.