VICHY AND THE NAZIS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1940, Page 4

VICHY AND THE NAZIS.

they are reported unofficially, the terms on which Marshal Petain has informed President Roosevelt the Vichy Government proposes to collaborate with Nazi Germany, will not inspire confidence. A refusal by France to go to war with Britain, to give up her fleet to Germany or to give up her colonial possessions, even if it were intended to be upheld and could be upheld, would leave it open to the men of Vichy to give much military assistance to the Nazi dictatorship. The indicated facts of the position now existing, in France are that M. Laval is prepared to go all the way in “collaboration” with the Axis and that he is quite prepared to give Germany and Italy the use of French naval and air bases, of the French colonies in Africa and elsewhere and probably also of French armaments. Marshal Petain and some other members of the Vichy Government probably are opposed to this course of dishonour and ruin, but that their opposition is of any practical importance has yet to appear. Thus far their weakness has played directly into the hands of Laval and his Axis friends. It is probable, as a well-informed 8.8. C. commentator has suggested, that Mussolini objects strongly to Hitler’s policy of offering illusory concessions to France in the hope of gaining her “collaboration” in the war. The Duce wishes to lay hands forthwith on the French territories he covets, but may have been pacified for the moment with assurances that the despoiling of France is merely postponed. In the final settlement, the commentator observes, Hitler, if he has his way, undoubtedly will both destroy France and double-cross his own junior accomplice. The great underlying question is whether the body of Frenchmen will remain supine and inactive while their country is first dishonoured and then destroyed by the Axis, with the assistance of Laval. Frenchmen in their homeland, of course, are meantime in bonds and can attempt and accomplish little towards their own liberation. It remains true, however, that only unblushing treason can put the-French African colonies ami parts of the French Navy and Air Force, or Air Force material, at the disposal of the Axis. For many Frenchmen, a vital hour of decision thus has yet to strike—an hour in which they must decide whether they will take part deliberately in a final betrayal of their country or will range themselves, with General de Gaulle ami in alliance with Britain, as men resolved to do what in them lies to secure the liberation and re-establishment of France.