The Waikato Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1941. GERMAN PRESSURE UN FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 6

The Waikato Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1941. GERMAN PRESSURE UN FRANCE

Much of what is passing between Germany and France will probably remain secret until the end of the war, or will not be fully disclosed until then. But it is evident that Hitler is bringing desperate pressure to bear in an endeavour to violate the armistice terms in favour of Germany’s further prosecution of the war. The Lisbon correspondent of a London newspaper suggests that the latest German Note demanded : (1) Bizerta; (2) the passage of German troops to Marseilles or Toulon; (3) transport of German troops and war materials to Bizerta in French ships. It is alleged that Germany added a verbal warning that if the demands were rejected Germany might occupy the rest of France.

That the demands have been rejected seems evident from statements by Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan. It is reported that Petain told Hitler that the French fleet and the colonies would reenter the war on Britain’s side if the Germans took over unoccupied France. In an interview with Le Journal Admiral Darlan said the French fleet would remain under complete French jurisdiction and “ will defend itself and the French empire against a challenge from any quarter.” These replies to the German Note were given promptly and indicated that at that stage at least the Vichy Government would not yield to German pressure. Since then there have been further negotiations, but whether Hitler has succeeded in shaking the French resolve is not known. The French leaders are apparently fully aware that they have a strong argument in the fleet and the overseas empire.

The present disposal of what remains of the French Navy is not known accurately to the public, but recently it was reported that the ships were being moved in twos and threes from the south of France to French North African ports without interference from the British Navy. Germany cannot afford to force overseas France into active opposition; if she did the Mediterranean might become a pool of disaster to Italy and to such German forces as have gone to the aid of Mussolini. Will Germany dare to force the issue if Vichy remains firm ? All the cunning of the Nazis is being brought to bear on the problem, and there will be no hesitation in using the weapon of terrorism if Hitler sees a chance of it succeeding. One method attempted by the Germans is to set up in France a puppet “ government ” selected from the pro-German element. The question is whether this government can gain sufficient influence to order and secure compliance with the German demands. Effort has been concentrated by the Germans on securing the reinstatement of Pierre Laval in a position of authority in France, but so far Petain seems to have resisted successfully. If French public opinion is still opposed to German domination, or even if it is faithful to the Vichy Government, Germany has still a difficult task To win compliance with its demands without bringing down serious trouble on its head. The French overseas empire is a powerful bargaining factor.