TALKS WITH PETAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21708, 20 April 1942, Page 3

TALKS WITH PETA IN

UNITY WITH DARLAN NEW YICHY CABINET (Official Wireless) (Received April 20, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY. April 19 A Vichy message states that when M. Laval began work at the Hotel Duparc as Chief of the Government his first visitor was Marshal Petain, with whom he had a “long and cordial talk.” M. Laval also saw Admiral Darlan and authorised circles stated that there was complete accord of views between the two. Interviewed, M. Laval said: “I have been very touched by the welcome which Marshal Petain has given me. Many difficulties have been smoothed out. My task has been greatly facilitated by the Chief of Slate’s very clear understanding of the present situation. It is not correct to say that Marshal Petain has relinquished his powers. I am head of the Government by virtue of the power which Marshal Petain delegated to me, but the authority ol Marshal Petain is indispensable for the accomplishment of my mission. I shall find it necessary, if I am to succeed, to support myself by his wisdom and experience.” Members of New Cabinet The new Vichy Cabinet under M. Laval has been announced. Admiral Darlan’s name is not included, although he will have the right to attend certain deliberations, 'ihe Vichy news agency says Admiral Darlan remains the second personage in the State, as designated successor to Marsiial Petain. M. Laval is the third personage. The Cabinet comprises the following Chief of Government and Minister of Foreign Artairs, interior and Information.—M. Pierre Laval. Justice.—M. Joseph Barteiemy. War.—General Bndoux. Navy.—Admiral Auphand. Air.—General Jean Quin. Propaganda.—M. Paul Marion. Preiectures.—M. George Hilare. Secretary for Police.—M. Rene Bosquet. Finance.—M. Pierre Cathala. Labour.—M. Hubert Lagardelle. Colonies.—M. Brevie. Education.—M. Abel Bonnard. Industrial Production.—M. Francois Lehideux. Health.—M. Raymond Grasset. Communications.—M. Gibrat. Agriculture and Food Supplies.—M. Max Bonnafous. Delegate-General for Franco-Ger-man Economic Relations.—M. Jacques Barnaud. Minister Without Portfolio.—M. Lucien Romier. Admirals Platon, Debrinon, Benoist, Mechin and Gueraro become Secretaries of State to Laval. Admiral Darlan, as Supreme Commander of the fighting services, is still directly answerable to Marshal Petain. The Secretaries of State for the services, however, were chosen for willingness to collaborate with M. Laval. Admiral Darlan's Power In a statement on the omission from the list of Admiral Darlan's name the Minister of Propaganda, M. Marion, said: “He still remains Marshal Petain’s designated successor and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He will have the right to attend meetings of the Council of Ministers at wnich questions relating to his office are discussed. President Laval will be responsible to Marshal Petain and wi.ll assume the direction of home and foreign policy..” Informed circles in London are of the opinion that the names show that M. Laval intends to keep power mainly in his own hands. Most of the Ministers are not known to the average Frenchman. M. Marion is a Fascist and M. Cathala has been in two previous Laval Cabinets. M. Benoist and M. Mechin have sinister records. Free French circles say that M. Laval has chosen mostly men whose German sympathies are not too well known, in the hope of placating America, but at least they are known among Free Frenchmen in connection with the Paris Quisling clique. The Times correspondent on the French frontier says that owing to M. Laval’s return the strength of the French police has hastily been increased by nearly 4000 in thg Seine Department, including Paris, and by 1500 in the unoccupied zone. Comment in Germany The Berlin radio, commenting on the Vichy Cabinet, says: “M. Laval, in his first term of office, showed understanding of the new order and opposed Communism. Germany, therefore, is not unfavourably disposed to his return. M. Laval is doubtless aware that he will have to start from scratch. He has heavy tasks ahead of him. Germany will not be in his way when he tackles these tasks.” France’s Degradation Typical of comment on the new Vichy Cabinet, the Sunday Times 'says: “There is nothing to say because its members are nonentities and they will do nothing to save France from degradation. M. Laval is the most corrupt product of a eorrupt period, and perhaps the eyes of Marshal Petain were too dim to see where he was being lured until it was too late.” General de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, said France would never for a moment be deceived or have any delusions about a man who would join hands with Hitler ever returning to the path of honour. It was the duty of all Frenchmen to continue the struggle against trie enemy itself and agamst the men of Vichy. The German news agency quotes a report fom Vichy that M. Mondamel, controller-general of the French criminal police, has been relieved of his post.