FRENCH EMPIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1941, Page 5

FRENCH EMPIRE

PLACED AT DISPOSAL OF AXIS ACCORDING TO VICHY CORRESPONDENT. MEANING OF THE LATEST AGREEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 16. The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press says that Marshal Petain’s agreement with Herr Hitler means that henceforth the whole French political, economic, financial, and colonial policy will conform with the desires of the Axis, and this will include placing France's African empire at the disposal of the Axis for common development. “The Times,’’ in a leading article, says: “The German officers and technicians in Iraq are probably preparing •for the advent of much larger forces in Syria as the pivot of the Axis’ strategy in the Levant, and France cannot escape the responsibility for this unfriendly action against Britain. Admiral Darlan cannot complain if the aerodromes of Syria suffer our attacks, or if a grant of further facilities to the Germans compels us to take more extensive precautions. “The whole episode calls for careful reconsideration of the basis on which our policy to Vichy has hitherto rested —the supposition that Vichy would not actively assist the designs of the Axis.” All London newspapers agree that a new and critical phase has been reached in the British relations with the men of Vichy. The “Daily Express” says the painful possibility of direct conflict between Britain and Vichy must be faced. Admiral Darlan had been warned. and he must take the consequences.

The "Daily Mail” says the lime has come when Britain’s desire to avoid a quarrel with her old friend must take second place to her own self-preserva-tion. The “News Chronicle" says that action is the only answer to the betrayal of the French people and the terms of the German-French armistice. The "Daily Telegraph" recalls the warning of last July that Britain could not allow Syria or the Lebanon to be occupied by a hostile Power or to be used as a base for attacks on countries in the Middle East which Britain is pledged to defend. The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press reports that all messages from Vichy relating to the French German relationship will henceforth be subject to censorship, though they have been free from that in the last five months. BROADCAST BY PETAIN. Marshal Petain, in a broadcast from Vichy yesterday, said: "Admiral Darlan's meeting with Herr Hitler enables us to illuminate the path of the future and to continue our conversations with Germany. This is not the time to discuss our prospects, measure our risks, or judge our actions. If we can successfully conclude the present negotiations France will surmount her defeat and maintain her rank as a European and Colonial Power.” A Swiss source states that the French people are being kept completely in the dark about Vichy's new concessions to Germany. It is also reported that Swiss newspapers have been banned in France.