Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1942. A BETRAYAL COMPLETED.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1942. A BETRAYAL COMPLETED.

» time of writing there is still some speculation as to the precise conditions in which Pierre Laval is returning to office in Vichy France, but it is only too clear that his return in any conditions means that treason and betrayal are to be carried to their limits. The open return to power of this selfproclaimed “champion of collaboration” with the deadly enemies of his country demonstrates finally that the men of Vichy who are nothing worse are merely a set of marionettes controlled completely by Nazi Germany. It is no longer possible to pretend, as a Free French commentator has said, that a French Government is in office at Vichy. Of all men who figure in European affairs today, Laval probably is the most despicable. One of his countrymen, Henry Torres, who has called him a lackey of Germany, wrote of him last year:— Today the traitor is in Paris, surrounded by his old gang .. . —all of them, vultures who were able to spread their wings only over the charnel-house of defeat. He is also surrounded by the curses of the people of Paris, unanimous in their hatred for him and in their faith in the liberation of France by a victory of the Allies. His sinister figure still stands out against the background of all the events which mark the gradual sinking of his country into abjection; directly or indirectly, by his emissaries, he is still playing a part in the enslavement of France. Germany holds him in reserve. Tomorrow he may be back in power: the cup of shame has not yet been drunk to its dregs. But even today he dare not show himself in the streets of the capital. With what has every appearance of being a last desperate bid for victory on her hands, Nazi Germany is assembling all her reserves and has called up Laval with the rest. That, plainly, is the fact to be faced in France and by the Allies. No one who has given even cursory attention to his infamous career will give any credence to Laval’s declaration that he wants “to maintain friendly relations with both Germany and the United States” and that: “lie hoped to obtain a peace with tile Axis guaranteeing French independence and integrity.” More than ever, with Laval in power, the victory of the Allies becomes for France the only hope of her redemption. Meantime it must be assumed that Laval and his gang will make it their single aim to place the resources of their country—amongst them the French fleet and the African colonies—as fully as possible at Germany’s disposal. Limits can be imposed on this policy of enslavement and treachery only by the military action of the United Nations - and by the measure of revolt that may be stirred up in France. It has to be admitted that the immediate problem confronting loyal Frenchmen, and the Allies is formidable. Amongst other things, Germany undoubtedly has laid her plans to gain control of the French fleet in Vichy hands —a force including three battleships, seven cruisers, 25 destroyers and at least 25 submarines—and the unimpeded use of Tunisia and other French African colonies, partly with the object of being able to strengthen Rommel’s forces in Libya. With Laval in power, it is evident that the Nazi dictatorship has decided that the advantages of this policy outweigh whatever risks it entails. It is for the Allies, and for the people of France, to make every effort in their power to demonstrate the contrary.