POLICY OF LAVAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 94, 23 April 1942, Page 5

POLICY OF LAVAL

BROADCAST DISSECTED NO REFERENCE TO U.S.A. Rugby, April 21. A study of M. Laval’s broadcast to tiie French people is felt here to make it clear that he has adhered faithfully to the policy which caused Marsal Petain to throw him out of oflice so ignominiously in December, 1940. 'i ne French people, who have aireauy haa a taste of what the German new order means, are not likely to be appeased by Laval's assurance that ■•mere is nothing to fear from the new order.” indeed, he flatly contradicted himself later when he asked, “Do you think there could be a bettex foreign policy (than the one he intends to conduct) with regard to the fate ox our prisoners?” in that sentence he admits one of the threats which the Germans are holding over France. Perhaps the most significant point in Laval's speech was his omission of any reference to the United States, it is clear that he would, if he could, drive a wedge between the United States and Britain. Others have tried this before, with the effect of welding the two nations more completely together. It is stated officially that there is nothing in the speech to alter the British Government’s impression that Laval will pursue his policy of collaborating with Germany and he will try to combine it with one of friendship with the United States. If anything should happen in the nature of a break with the United States at a later stage, Laval is anxious to be able to point to complete lack of provocation in is spoken words, and to impress upon Frenchmen that the break was due to America’s lack of understanding of France and her leaders.— 8.0.W.