U.S.A. & VICHY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1942, Page 3

U.S.A. & VICHY

AMBASSADOR RECALLED FOR CONSULTATION M. HAYE APPARENTLY ALSO RECALLED. PROGRESS OF LAVAL AFFAIR LONDON, April 17. Admiral W. Leahy, United States Ambassador to Vichy, } has officially announced that lie has been recalled Io 'Washington for consultation. In Washington, the American Assistant Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) confirmed Admiral Leahy’s recall and also revealed that the Vichy rejection of the American Note regarding the appointment of an United States representative at Brazzaville, had been submited to the- German authorities and had received their approval before being sent to "Washington.

A message from Washington says that the United States Ambassador in Vichy, Admiral Leahy, is to be recalled for consultation. The respective Charges d’Affaires in Vichy and Washington will take over in the Embassies in the meantime, the message adds, thus suggesting that the French Ambassador in Washington is also returning home. The French Ambassador, M. Henri Haye, had a conference with Mr Welles for an hour yesterday. Afterward he told reporters that he had informed Mr Welles that the American Note regarding the Consulate in FreeFrench Africa was unacceptable to Vichy. He added, “Mr Welles rejected our objection, and said that he could not accept Vichy’s viewpoint.” M. Haye also discussed with Mr Welles, the general situation in France. PETAIN STEPS DOWN. Marshal Petain’s Cabinet met in Vichy this morning for the last time. At this meeting, Vichy radio stated. Petain accepted the resignations of all his colleagues. It is also reported from Vichy that in future Petain will not preside at the Cabinet meetings, and that Pierre Laval, as Prime Minister, will take his place. After this morning’s Cabinet meeting a communique was issued stating that Admiral Darlan has agreed to take the command of the land, sea and air forces. The communique also described Darlan as the designated successor to Petain as Chief of the French State. A message from Vichy states that the Germans have executed another 35 hostages in occupied France in reprisal for attacks on German troops. , NAZI SAVAGERY SLAUGHTER OF CIVILIANS IN ST. NAZAIRE. LONDON, April 16. After the recent British commando raid on St. Nazaire the Germans executed 800 French civilians in the town, says the Lisbon correspondent of the “Daily Herald.” Many of the inhabitants had thought that the raid was a. big invasion and ran from their houses armed with guns, clubs and knives, and attacked and killed many Germans in the streets. REASONS FOR RECALL STATED BY MR S. WELLES. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 17. Mr Sumner Welles announced that President Roosevelt had instructed the U.S.A. Ambassador, Admiral Leahy, to return from Vichy, for consultations, because of the events of the last few. days and because of information that the new Government of France was composed of elements dominated by the pro-German Laval. Mr Welles said I Admiral Leahy was unable to leave immediately because of his wife’s illness.