MASK DROPPED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1941, Page 5

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POLICY OP THE MEN OF VICHY “NO CHOICE BUT TO SUBMIT.” ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE PEOPLE WITH FALSE HOPES. LONDON, May 22. With a German request to the United States to withdraw her diplomatic representatives from Paris, and also with a conference of Vichy Ministers being held in Paris and German emphasis that the French “now realise they have no choice but to submit.” France’s relations with the democratic world are merging with the new and more crucial developments in the war situation. The “Daily Telegraph's" representative on the French frontier says that correspondents in Vichy agree that the Petain Government has “dropped themask.” Nothing is now heard about adhering to the strict terms of the armistice or respect for the difficulties of France's former ally. Since the fall of Yugoslavia and Greece, the Vichyites have been convinced that a German victory is inevitable and have taken care to propagate this belief among the French people, who are allowed to hear little of Italy's defeats in Africa but much about the prospect of an early peace. This peace, they are being told, will by Hitler's magnanimity give France a role in Europe second only to that of Germany. Among the advantages Hitler expects from Vichy's compliance is the production of a state of affairs amounting to war between France and Britain, resulting from hostilities between the Vichy and Free French troops and also from the other anti-Allied action which Vichy admits she is contemplating.

The British Ministry of Economic Warfare announced that it has gained possession of an order, signed on behalf of Admiral Darlan, instructing the captains of French merchantmen to scuttle their ships whenever they are liable to capture by the British. The Berlin news agency states that the Vichy Cabinet met in Paris for the first time on the night of May 20. Admiral Darlan presided. The Berlin radio announced that the land, sea and air forces at Martinique have received orders “to be prepared to repel any attack.” According to the “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent, the German Commander-in-Chief, General von Brauchitsch, has gone to Paris for important talks which may decide the future extent of French-German collaboration. He met General von Stuelpnagel, Commanding the German army of occupation, who is also participating in talks. The Vichy correspondent of the British United Press says that the French Minister, General Huntzinger, and M. Bouthillier have joined Admiral Darlan in Paris.

The “Daily Telegraph” says that yesterday’s meeting of members of the French Cabinet in Paris may be preliminary to regular operation of the French Government from Paris, but Germany has not yet made this concession. ' Before' holding the Cabinet meeting in Paris Admiral Darlan had to consult the German Commissioner. Herr Abetz, who ordered him to dismiss M. Sellier, mayor of Suresnes, in the Seine Department, for which he is also a Senator.

The Vichy radio slates that Admiral Darlan has dismissed IVI. Sellier because of liis open hostility to work for national renovation. Similar steps have been taken against all municipal officers who are hostile to Marshal Petain.

Referring to the agreement between Vichy and Germany, the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Butler, stated in a written reply in the House of Commons that though the full terms of the agreement are not yet known, there is no doubt that a number of industrial concerns in unoccupied France are working largely for the Germans and producing goods of military importance for Germany. THE POLICY OF SCUTTLING. It is learned in London that Admiral Darlan’s new instructions to French merchantmen state that except where contrary instructions have been received captains must by all means avoid letting their ships and cargoes fall into the hands of the British authorities. Captains are informed that failure to obey those instructions will have serious consequences on permits now given to French traffic, and will expose them personally to punishment.

This reference to permits, stated a London commentator, is clear proof that all French shinning can only sail under the terms of the Armistice Commission, which moans that the French merchant navy is now al Hie beck and call of the Germans.

Says Samuel Goldwyn: “I want a film that begins with an earthquake and works up to a climax.”