GERMAN PLANES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1941, Page 5

GERMAN PLANES

ALLOWED TO LAND IN SYRIA While Conveying Enemy Agents to Iraq MR EDEN DENOUNCES BREACH OF ARMISTICE TERMS ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY BRITISH FORCES LOX DOX, May 15. German planes have arrived in Iraq, after being allowed to use French aerodromes in Syria as stopping places. This information is given in a Cairo communique, which states that a certain number of disguised German planes, conveying propaganda agitators and other Axis specialists have arrived in Iraq, in response to an urgent appeal from the rulers of that country. Mr Eden told the House of Commons that the French authorities in Syria were allowing German aircraft to use Syrian aerodromes. The British Government had in consequence given full authority for action to be taken against German aeroplanes in Syrian or other aerodromes. The French action was a clear breach of the armistice terms. A German military mission is said to be now in Bagdad. The situation at Basra and Habbania is reported to be quiet. Marshal Petain, in a broadcast to the French people, regarding the recent meeting between Admiral Darlan and Herr Jlitler in Germany, said he had approved the principle of this meeting. If the present negotiations were successful France would be able to overcome her defeat and take her place among the powers of the world. Berlin Foreign Office officials declare that the report of an agreement is premature as the talks have not yet concluded.

DECEPTIVE REPORT

LONDON PAPER’S COMMENT. BRITISH DECLARATION RECALLED. LONDON, May 14. The official report after the meeting of the Cabinet in Vichy was merely a smokescreen, maintaining the pretence that Admiral Darlan’s visit was intended to conclude the economic negotiations, which actually already had been concluded, says the "Daily Telegraph.” Britain, it adds, is bound by her declaration of July, 1940. in what was stated that she could "not allow Syria to be occupied by a hostile Power, or be used as a base for attacks on other

countries in the Middle East." It is believed that the implications of this declaration are now under discussion between Vichy. London and Washington.

NEWS IN VICHY

TWO GERMAN PLANES LAND IN IRAQ." LONDON. May 15. The official news agency in Vichy announced that two German planes landed on an aerodrome in the region of Mosul. It is not known whether they were civil or military machines, for which reason it is unwise to deduce that this is the start of military aid to Iraq.