LAVAL DISMISSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1940, Page 5

LAVAL DISMISSED

“IN INTEREST OF COUNTRY” ANNOUNCEMENT BY PETAIN. FLANDIN BECOMES FOREIGN MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) VICHY, December 14. The Vice-Premier, M. Pierre Lava], lias resigned and a decree abolishes the rights of succession to the position of Chief of the State. M. Flandin will succeed him. Marshal Petain, in a broadcast, said M. Laval no longer had a part in the government because of the "interest of the country.” Marshal Petain added that the policy of the Government toward Germany was unchanged and he also said: "I have taken the decision for reasons of internal policy. I remain at the helm. The national revolution continues.”

A communique issued after Marshal Petain’s broadcast stated that M. Flandin was more capable of arranging a rapprochement with Germany. The constitutional Act nominating M. Laval Marshal Petain’s successor had been revoked, and the Council of Ministers would henceforth elect his successor by a majority. A message from Zurich says it is reported that M. Laval was arrested after a Cabinet meeting, when apparently on the eve of departure for a conference with Hitler.

A New York report says the National Broadcasting Company’s reporter, Mr Max Jordan, broadcasting from Basle, said M. Laval had been placed in a Vichy jail. He added that M. Laval had been ousted because he attempted to persuade Marshal Petain to accept Germany’s latest peace offer in return for the co-operation of the French navy against Britain. Marshal Petain refused, according to Mr Jordan, whereupon M. Laval was forced to quit when he tried to put pressure on the Marshal.

POWER OF OPINION VIEWS OF FREE FRENCH AGENCY. LONDON, December 15. The Free French news agency says M. Laval’s departure proves the increasing power of public opinion in France, where Laval’s unpopularity has increased to hatred. M. Flandin, though he corigratulated Hitler after Munich and recently endorsed the New Order, is not, like Laval, the personification of hostility to Britain. M. Flandin has recently been cherishing the idea, of mediating between Britain and Germany for which reason he may pursue a more flexible foreign policy. M. Flandin’s appointment does not guarantee a rapprochement with Britain, but he will not forget that public opinion brought down Laval. NAZIS APPROVE FLANDIN LONDON, December 15. A commentator says it is quite clear from German radio comment that the Germans fully approve if they did not engineer, the change. Thp radio is full of praise for M. Flandin.

A 8.8. C. broadcast states that there is no confirmation of the report that M. Laval has been arrested.