CRISIS RUMOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1941, Page 5

CRISIS RUMOURS

THE NAZIS & VICHY

HITLER’S REPORTED DEMANDS.

USE OF FRENCH WARSHIPS & BIZERTA.

• By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright' LONDON. February 4. Following the dispatch in the weekend of a Note from Herr Hitler to -Marshal Petain. Chief of rhe French Stare, which it was conjectured in some quarters contained demands for military and naval concessions, and coincident with discussions that are taking place in Paris with the Vichy Naval Minister, Admiral Darlan, there an- reports of a crisis in Franvo-German relat ions-.

Admiral Darlan was to have scon Herr Abetz. Hiller’s representative in Paris. The admiral is also reported to have had an interview there with M. Pierre Laval. So far no official statement has been issued by Vichy, but the German official news agency says that general policies of the French nation were discussed. Reports indicate that the question of the readmission of Laval to the Vichy Government. the future of the French fleet, and the new political party in occupied France may have been included in the talks. Laval has not been mentioned as in the party’s leadership. It is believed he may return to Vichy today with Darlan. The Lisbon correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph’ yesterday said it was authoritatively stated that Petain has told Hitler that the French fleet and colonies would re-enter the war on Britain’s side if the Germans take over unoccupied France. THE GERMAN NOTE. Petain’s statement, the correspondent said, was in reply to a German Note demanding: <D Bizerta. (2) A passage for troops to Marseilles or to Toulon. (3) The transport of troops and war material to Bizerta in French ships, with a verbal warning of a threatened occupation of unoccupied France in the event of rejection. It is conjectured, he added, that Hitler may alternatively attempt to seize Bizerta, using all Italy’s available warships, covered by the Luftwaffe.

From other sources today there arc rumours that the German pressure on Petain will take many forms. It is even suggested that the marshal has received a 24-hour ultimatum.

The most concrete expression of the situation is that there is a threat to create an entirely new Franco-—a Quislingist France—beginning with the committee of the Rassemblement National Populaire and with M. Laval as head of the State in fact if not by name The widespread popular suspicions against such a puppet committee both in France and the colonies will probably restrain Hitler from openly moving in this direction. The Lyons (Petain-controlled) radio today declared that the supporters of the Rassemblement comprise men who have been ceaselessly opposed to Petain’s Government.

From Vichy it is reported that Darlan’s conversations will produce a reshuffle in the leadership, establishing a quadrumvirate of Laval, M. Baudouin. Darlan, and General Huntziger under Petain.

Laval has given Hitler a pretty clear indication that he is ready to hand over the French fleet and anything else Hitler desires. Nothing indicates that Petain is willing to go to this length, and this explains the new German pressure on the Vichy Government. NAZI DENIAL NO MOVE INTO UNOCCUPIED FRANCE. BERLIN. February 4. The official news agency's correspondent at Vichy says it officially and emphatically denied that German troops are advancing into unoccupied France.