DRAWING CLOSER

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21441, 7 June 1941, Page 8

DRAWING CLOSER

FRANCE AND GERMANY REPLY TO AMERICA SAFEGUARDING INTERESTS (United Press Assn.—Etec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 7, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. Events are rapidly moving towards a formal Franco-German agreement for full collaboration, for which the groundwork has been well prepared. Admiral Darlan is expected to go to Paris immediately from Vichy to speed up the conclusion of the agreement.

The Times correspondent on the French frontier says reports from Vichy indicate that France is ready for economic collaboration in about 10.000 French industrial undertakings, two-thirds of which in occupied zone are already collaborating or will soon collaborate. The French Government has granted 20.000,000 francs for building a second port at Cannes, and is devoting other sums to the enlargement of the port of Nice. These works are aimed at facilitating importations from North Africa.

The Vichy Foreign Office has issued a note replying to Mr Cordell Hull: “Washington misunderstands France’s needs in a difficult situation. The French Government wants to preserve friendly relations with the United States, but the Government of America cannot understand that the French Government’s first task in the present particularly difficult situation is to safeguard the vital interests of France and her Empire. “It is surprising to see Mr Hull describe as a policy of aggression and oppression one which is directed against nobody and harms the interests of no other Power. Collaboration with Germany is due only to the desire to establish better relations in Europe and maintain the freedom of the French Empire and her communication lines against all attacks.”