LAVAL'S TEARFUL PLEA

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 249, 22 October 1942, Page 2

LAVAL'S TEARFUL PLEA

FRANCO- GERMAN COLLABORATION.

P.A. Cable.

LONDON, Oct. 20.

The French authorities have threatened to shoot workmen from the Paris Gnome-Rhone aeroplane engine works who were selected for transfer to Germany if they try to escape, reports the Daily Mail's French frontier correspondent. The Marseilles police have taken special precautions against growing unrest. The Lyons strikers have returned to work but it is understood that they will strike again if Laval persists in the conscription of labour for Germany. Berlin radio says that Communist leaflets were distributed among the Lyons strikers urging them to declare a general strike, but measures were taken to nip in the bud every attem.pt to cease work. The radio adds that recent similar strike movements,

| instigated by Communist and de Gaullist propaganda as a protest against the despatch of French workers to Germany, were absolutely ineffective. Two trains fuil of workers have left Paris for Germany and a third group has left Bordeaux, says Vichy radio. Laval, appealing for more workers to go to Germany said: "The Germans are suffering heavy losses. I am not sure you realise the true, situation. France's over-riding interests demand a policy of collaboration with Germany. The agreement I made with Germany has had a certain measure of effect, but since yesterday I have . been obliged to take other measures which France must accept." A new indpcement offered workers going to Germany is. a promise that they will be insured against accident whether by ordinary causes or British bombing. Previously they were told they would have to take their chance in air raids. Laval declared: "I am certain that if Germany is beaten Russia will rule Europe. This would mean the end of France's Independence. I must direct France's policy .in such a way that France will not be the vietim of a German victory. I am trying to safeguard French territories."