Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1942. FRANCE IN NAZI TOILS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 February 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1942. FRANCE IN NAZI TOILS.

— —■» PACTS submitted to the House of Commons by the British of Economic Warfare (Dr Dalton) .mean that the men of Vichy art 1 going as far as they dare in assisting the Nazi dictatorship against, the Allies. Dr Dalton said that undoubtedly there had been deliveries to General liomn'iel’s forces in Libya of cars, lorries, wheat, wine and olive oil and that petrol and aviation spirit had also been reaching the enemy from Tunisia. The “most serious view” taken by the British Government of this help for Hie Axis evidently is well warranted, and it need not be doubted that the standpoint of the United States in the matter will be identified with that of Britain. The position is the more serious since there is increasing evidence that extended offensive action in the Mediterranean is likely to take an important place in Nazi plans for the coming spring and summer. It is bad enough that supplies and perhaps reinforcements as well, should be conveyed to Rommel by way of Tunisia. The use by night of Hie short sea passage to that territory will nullify at least in part Hie heavily damaging attacks made by British submarines and aircraft on Axis supply lines across the Mediterranean. With the possibility raised that the Axis jnay pass from partial to complete control oi the French .North African colonies, even more disturbing prospects are raised.

Fortunately, however, there are indications that a complete seizure of the French African colonies is a step that the Nazis hesitate to take. Observers in London, one correspondent stated recently, hold the opinion that Hitler always believed be could take over France’s African Empire when he chose; hence his earlier apparent unconcern. But now that the strategical moment for such an operation had arrived, the correspondent added, there was an obvious slumbling-block—the despised Marshal Petain.

It is still more remarkable that, according to a cablegram received a day or two ago, Admiral Darlan, at a recent conference, refused to accede to a demand by the Nazi naval chief, Admiral Raeder, for the full use of Hie French fleet and the use of naval and air bases in French North Africa. No one will believe for a moment that Darlan, if he has actually taken this stand, is actuated by motives of pure patriotism. The only reasonable explanation is that he is afraid of the reactions of his countrymen to that full “collaboration'’ with the Nazis for which he has done everything in his power to pave the way. Darlan presumably is responsible for the passage of supplies to the Axis forces in Libya by way of Tunisia. But having gone so far he may be afraid to go still further lest he provoke a storm of revolt.

Id recent weeks the Nazis and their French servitors have been, attacking Marshal Petain as an opponent of thoroughgoing collaboration with Germany and spreading stories of his imminent resignation. As yet, however, nothing has come of this talk and the reason may be that in spite of savage measures of terrorism, the spirit of revolt is rising in France. An early outbreak against the Nazis in metropolitan France is neither to be hoped for nor desired, but a revolt in the. French African colonies —a revolt in which Hie fleet in whole or part might join—against a crowning act of betrayal may be sufficiently

within the bounds of practical possibility to impose some restraint on the Nazis and on the few French traitors who are readv to assist them.