ANTI-VICHY SWAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20917, 17 October 1942, Page 4

ANTI-VICHY SWAY

1 FRENCH FEELING NEW SECRET POLICE HARSH MEASURES USED (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 16. M. Laval, at a meeting of the Vichy Cabinet, declared that he would not tolerate interference in public order or the movement of labour. Reports to the Cabinet, according to an official Vichy announcement, showed progress. The' Cabinet approved of the strongest measures against the authors or accomplices of acts threatening the security of the State committed with arms or explosives parachuted into French territory. The unpleasant activities of a new organisation, the “Service d’Ordre du Legion,” are producing in France ah' atmosphere common to countries under the thumb of a powerful secret, police force, says The Times Lisbon correspondent. Members of the Legion', armed with Tommy-guns and revolvers, are mounted on motor cycles. Th'eir duties' appear to include the provocation as well as the rounding lip of undesirables. Allied Victory Sought Their use has been dictated by the tremendous sway against Vichy since August 26, when : the abolition of Parliament was announced. Since then, the Laval Government is reported to have lost 70 per cent-of its supporters. particularly among the clergy. Harsher measures are causing the •people to hide everything possible, from firearms to food. The population, after a long period of apathy, is now reported to be as whole-heartedly desirous of an Allied victory as residents of occupied France. This does not mean love for Britain but a longing to regain independence. General Dentz recently made an impression when he concluded, an uncensored speech in which' he defended Britain by saying: “They were perfectly right to act as they did in Syria.'’ General - Dentz was placed under house' arrest ; f6'f five day's, after which he was in disgrace'.

A message from New York' states that the Columbia Broadcasting System reports that the Vicliy Council of Ministers, according to a Vichy broadcast, are moving to' cope with the dropping of arms and ammunition in France from aeroplanes. They warned that any persons co-operating were liable to be sentenced to death.