LAVAL & DARLAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 November 1942, Page 3

LAVAL & DARLAN

VERY MUCH AT ODDS. DEFENCE OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 21. “I am sure Germany will be victorious, but even if I thought she would be defeated, I would not change my policy,” said M. Laval in a broadcast to the French people. “The situation today is tragic. The British and Americans are tearing France to bits, limb from limb. France cannot live without her empire, yet Britain and America have robbed her of it. It is in the interests of France to come to a direct reconciliation with Germany and’the entente, with Germany the sole guarantee of European peace. We want Bolshevism kept from French civilisation. If Roosevelt wins, Americans and Jews will dominate France. Some of you must be wondering whether France will defend her empire against de Gaulle. If we could, we would jump at his throat, but we have not the means.” , Broadcasting over the Algiers radio, Admiral Darlan said: “We have sworn allegiance to Marshal Petain, but not to Laval . Petain after the armistice followed the only possible policy, enabling France to live and preventing the German occupation of North Africa. Without this policy- it would have been more difficult for the Allies to assist us to regain our liberty. Petain shares my friendly feeling for the Americans. I am following his earlier instructions in accepting British and American aid in the liberation of French sovereignty.”