FASCIST DESPOTISM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 August 1941, Page 6

FASCIST DESPOTISM

PROPOSED IN FRANCE PETAIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT. WIDE POWERS FOR DARLAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 12. Announcing' a new organisation of unoccupied France in which “authority W’ill no longer come from below,” the Chief of the French State, Marshal Petain, in a broadcast tonight delegated wide authority to the Deputy-Premier, Admiral. Darlan, to whom he gave control of the whole land, sea and air forces.

He admitted that public opinion had not been “always favourable” toward Admiral Darlan, and he referred to a lack of unity throughout France and indirectly mentioned the danger of a French version of the Spanish civil war. He announced a 12-point programme for Vichy France. The 'view is expressed in London that the new decrees may turn France into the most despotic of Fascist States. The points in Marshal Petain's programme include: Disciplinary measures against members of secret societies.

Restrictions on civil servants who are Freemasons and exclusions of holders of high Masonic offices from public office. Doubling of the police force, and the appointment of special commissioners for supervising the local government. Abolition of salaries for parliamentarians and abolition of Parliamentary immunity.

Organisation and supervision of labour, industry and agriculture, establishment of a State economic organisation for national reconstruction, and promulgation of a labour charter regulating relations between labour and the employers. Marshal Petain also announced the creation of a Council of Justice which would submit to him by October 15 a list of those considered responsible for the fall of France.

He explained that the delays in arranging Franco-German collaboration had resulted from Germany being engaged in a gigantic battle in Eastern Europe in defence of civilisation.

FRANCE GOES NAZI

WITH DARLAN AS FUEHRER.

LONDON, August 13

The “Daily Express” states that France has gone completely Nazi with Admiral Darlan as its Fuehrer and Marshal Petain as his Hindenburg. The “Manchester Guardian” states that it is natural that Hitler should desire fresh concessions from Vichy, but it was not natural, with the situation in Russia undecided, and in the light of other events, that these demands should be conceded. The “New York Times” states that Marshal Petain's broadcast strikes an ominous note which must dismay and discourage France's friends.

DARLAN AS DICTATOR

CLOTHED WITH WIDEST POWERS SINCE NAPOLEON.

(Received This Day, 10.25 a'.m.) LONDON, August 13.

It is emphasised in Vichy, in connection with the Cabinet changes, that Admiral Darlan will be clothed with the widest powers of anyone in France since Napoleon.