CEDED TO GERMANY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1943, Page 3

CEDED TO GERMANY

TWO FRENCH COASTAL DEPARTMENTS NEAREST TO BRITAIN LAVAL’S LATEST INFAMY. DETAILS OF AGREEMENT WITH HITLER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 13. The Vichy Government has handed over in perpetuity to Germany the two French departments nearest England with 100 miles of coastline, says the • foreign editor of the “Daily Express.” This is part of the price extracted from Vichy for complicity in the North African landings. The two surrendered departments include Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne. Inland towns include Lille, Arras, Roubaix and Cambrai. The transfer was exacted under a 10-point agreement reached on December 18 at Berchtesgaden between Hitler, Ciano and Laval.

The first six points of the agreement favour the Axis. They are:— First, five destroyers, probably the remnants of those scuttled at Toulori, to be surrendered to Germany. Secondly, Germany will not restore the two northernmost French depart ments of Nord and Pas de Calais. Thirdly, French industry, finance and agriculture to pass completely under German control. Fourthly, Laval to send 400,000 unskilled workers to Germany. Fifthly, Hitler in the future to arbitrate on all French-Italian negotiations. This, it is believed, refers to the Italian occupation of Corsica and part of the Vichy zone which may or may not be intended to be permanent. Sixthly, the question of the Vichy Government’s return to Paris is being suspended till Vichy proves its “sincerity.” Laval has obtained concessions under the remaining four points:— First, increased administrative powers and direct control of the police throughout France except in the annexed provinces. Secondly, Hitler has promised that Laval’s Government will be the last French Government with which he will negotiate. This 'seems to dispose of Laval’s rivals Doriot and Deat, who are violently attacking him from Paris.

Thirdly, Hitler abandons hope of forcibly conscripting the French army to fight against Britain and America. Fourthly, the demarcation between the occupied and unoccupied zones will not be abolished.