U.S.A. & VICHY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1942, Page 3

U.S.A. & VICHY

FOOD SHIPS FOR AFRICA HELD UP

FENDING CLARIFICATION OF POSITION. OMINOUS NAZI INTIMATION. LONDON, April 15. The United States Assistant Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) stated that two i'oodships which were on the point of sailing for North Africa had been .held up until the position in Vichy had been clarified. In the meantime the United" States had taken no decision in regard to the policy which was to be followed towards Vichy.

The full implications of Pierre Laval’s return to power in the Vichy Cabinet are not yet clear, but reports that he may take the position of head of the Government with special powers suggests that Marshal Petain becomes a sort of President, with Laval as his Premier.

The German radio has made its first ominous comment, saying: “The return of Laval to the Government mean? that it is now realised by Petain that the State requires a strong hand.” In Vichy Petain, Darlan and Laval are still discussing the German demands for the constitution of the Cabinet on a new basis. So far no official indication has been given of the outcome of the meeting. “The Times,” in a leader, says the inclusion of Laval in the Cabinet will mean the complete submission of France to Germany in the new order. France is being reduced to the level of a Balkan State. >

RUPTURE OF RELATIONS IMMINENT POSSIBILITY. PERCEIVED IN WASHINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 15. The shake-up in the Vichy Cabinet would necessitate a complete re-examination of the United States’ relations with France with a rupture of the relations an imminent possibility, said a diplomatic spokesman today. The State Department, he said, has not yet received official notification of Laval’s return to power, but when the report of the United States Ambassador in Vichy, Admiral Leahy, arrived the Department would probably ask Vichy’s Ambassador in Washington, M. Henry Haye, for a full explanation. It is also expected to demand additional guarantees that the recent accord reached with M. Haye would not be jeopardised by the new French Cabinet. That accord is understood to have been reached only after French assurances had been received that Laval would not return to power and also pledges by Vichy not to exceed the terms of the German armistice in aiding the Axis.

TRAITOR’S REWARD. In the House of Representatives today Representative Page described Laval as an enemy of all free people. “Today a traitor has received his 30 pieces of silver,” he said. He urged closer co-operation between the United States and the Free French; including the occupation of strategic French possessions. Representative Gossett predicted the complete inglorious end of the French Republic if the French Fleet were handed over to Germany. Representative Faddis said that no policy of appeasement could be successful, and he demanded that the United States, by force if necessary, seize all French possessions necessary for the successful prosecution of the war. ANGER IN VICHY. The Vichy news agency, commenting today on the American Note with reference to the appointment of an American consul to Brazzaville, in French Equatorial Africa, says: “The French Government will not accept the Note, which is drafted in insulting terms, tending to discredit before the world the conduct of French citizens, who do not require lessons in patriotism from a foreigner.” The agency statement expresses the opinion that the American Note was designed for propaganda purposes in an attempt to create trouble. (The United States Note was in reply to a French protest against the creation of the consulate in the Free French territory.) Tonight the Vichy Government suddenly withdrew without explanation the agency’s truculent comment. It is reported, however, to have been reissued later tonight. HIGH ARMY POST FOR DENTZ ON LAVAL’S RECOMMENDATION. ACCORDING TO BERLIN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) ZURICH, April 15. A message from Berlin states that General Dentz (who commanded the Vichy forces in Syria against the Allies) is soon to receive, on M. Laval’s recommendation, one of the highest and most responsible posts in the French Army. General Dentz will, “in accordance .with the new policy of France,” reorganise the Army and make important changes in the general staff.