TENSE ATMOSPHERE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 188, 12 August 1941, Page 5

TENSE ATMOSPHERE

HEAVY DEMANDS ON VICHY USE OF AFRICAN PORTS BREAK IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH U.S.A. (Recd. 8.15 p.m.) London, Aug. 10. With the debasing result of subservience to Germany rapidly piling up, a tense atmosphere surrounds the talks between Marshal Petain and his chief advisers. A Vichy official spokesman denied the reports that Vichy was about to conclude an offensive alliance with Germany, ostensibly aimed at Russia, but most sources agree that Germany has made fresh and heavy demands for the use of African ports.

The Times correspondent on the French frontier says the developments cannot be examined too closely. Formulae might be found to enable Vichy to observe the armistice dispositions while making interesting counter-proposals to Germany. The German-inspired press stresses the recent aggravation of Vichy's situation, especially with regard to relations with Britain.

The Vichy news agency claims that the tension has eased, but the utmost secrecy is maintained about the subjects of Marshal Petain’s talks. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent. Mr. E. B. Wareing. says the Germans demanded facilities at Dakar, Algiers. Casablanca and Bizerta. The moment had almost arrived for Vichy to decide, once and for all. between friendship with Germany or America. A Washington message says that, according to the Associated Press of America, a break in diplomatic relations between the United States and Vichy is reported as likely if it becomes evident that the impending French decisions involved Germany's obtaining the use of strategic bases on the African coast. The whole question of Western Hemisphere interest in French possessions is under intensive study in Washington. —U.P.A.