POSSIBLE RESULTS

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

POSSIBLE RESULTS

LAVAL’S CAPTAINCY Rugby, April 20., M. Laval’s new position is widely discussed in the British Press, where it is realised that although he has made Tiimself the virtual dictator 01 France and is surrounded by puppets, yet. he can be expected to give implicit obedience to another dictator, Hitler. The American reaction to Laval’s appointment has been discouraging, and active collaboration with the Nazis in the military or the naval field would be fatal to the maintenance of any relations with the United States. Although Hitler must always cast covetous eyes on the potential value of the French fleet for Mediterranean operations, it. is possible that any move in this direction will be carefully hidden—with consequences which are at present unpredictable. It is felt obvious that Laval’s first domestic move will be a severe purge throughout the Civil Service and vigorous measures against elements still living of political parties which he finds objectionable, and of the trade union organisation which once played such a important part in French life. He is expected to help Germany with the supply of war materials and skilled labour, and to organise home industry to help the Nazis to the highest degree. At the same time, Laval may impose stricter control of the French population which is likely to secure greater safety for the German rear. Altogether, Laval has contributed a “useful present for Hitler’s birthday, even if he has to swallow insulting remarks made about him in Germany some years ago,’’ when one journal went so far as to describe him as “this negroid Mediterranean.”— 8.0.W. Possible Danger for Allies. The Observer says: “It is impossible to deny that the change at Vichy may import grave danger to the United Nations. Surrender of the French fleet and of French colonial territory would add immediately to the difficulty of maintaining war against the Axis in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, it may be said with considerable confidence that only some very urgent necessity would have induced Hitler to disturb even the uneasy stability into which France under the Vichy Government had settled down. Doubtless he would give much to be assured that the remaining resources of France were really at his disposal when his great offensive opens.” The Sunday Times, while stressing the spirit of loathing for Laval which permeates ail decent Frenchmen makes the point that it is the aged Marshal Petain who stands at the parting of the ways. In the eyes o! Frenchmen, Petain still symbolise; the France of her great and heroic days, but, as the newspaper says, “The Marshal may be unable to recover and maintain any real control over events, and if he does not, then every selfrespecting Frenchman is also at the parting of the ways and will have tc look for other leadership.”—B.O.W.