DARLAN’S NEW TASK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1942, Page 4

DARLAN’S NEW TASK

“DEVOTION” TO ARMED FORCES TIES NOW DRAWN CLOSER. LIP SERVICE TO PETAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) VICHY. April 21. In an order of the day broadcast to the French forces,. Admiral Darlan said: “Marshal Petain, by appointing me Commander-in-Chief, has drawn closer the ties which for long months past have bound me to you. I no longer have to shoulder the responsibilities that I had undertaken out of discipline and patriotism and shall be able io devote my time and energy to you. Rely on me as I shall rely on you. Follow the path of honour and defend the Empire under the high authority of Marshal Petain.”

ELEVATION OF LAVAL APPROVED BY SPANISH FASCIST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 12.10 p.m.) MADRID, April 21. “I think Marshal Petain has done right in giving power to M. Laval,” declared Senor Suner in an interview. “It is a most urgent matter for the whole world that it should be saved from Bolshevisation. M. Laval's appointment proves that France has finally understood that she has wasted a whole winter in expecting the Russians to destroy the German Army. I cannot understand why any thinking country should fall into the pro-Bolshevist blindness which let it concede importance to local and sporadic Russian successes. France, during our civil war, treated us worse than any country, but after the French defeat our relations improved. Spaniards respect misfortune and sincerely love the great figure of Marshal Petain.”

MORE MURDERS SELECTION OF VICTIMS « AT ST. NAZAIRE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 21. A Vichy message states that the Germans executed twenty more hostages at St. Nazaire as a further reprisal for French activity during the recent British raid. The Germans asked the French Sub-Prefect of Saint Nazaire to name twenty townsmen for shooting. The Sub-Prefect refused and the Germans picked the victims, including M. Blanchard, a prominent trade union leader.