THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 23, 1940.
SIGNIFICANT SILENCE
-M. Laval's Negotiations With Hitler On Cace Petain the Obstacle --To Be Removed?
FRANCE IN WAR
AGAINST BRITAIN !
LAVAL
SEES HITLER
(SPECIÁL TO "CHINA MAIL”).
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING YESTERDAY. BETWEEN HITLER AND PIERRE LAVAL, FRENCH VICE-PREMIER, IS BELIEVED TO BE TO BRING CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE AXIS IN THE WAR.
It is believed France will be offered
gener- cus peace terms, and possibly a share in the spoils of the British Empire, if she helps to de- feat Britain.
The fact that Vichy made no announcement Hitler yesterday receiv- on the Hitler-Laval meeting is regarded in some ed Pierre Laval, French quarters as extremely significant. Vice-Premier, according
terday that Marshal Petain had to the German wireless. Ribbentrop, Nazi Foreign reporters he had not the refused to agree to demands that Minister, was present at slightest information, dir-France throw her lot in with the
the interview.
ect or indirect, about re- Hitler is at present somewhere ports that France might in France, where he received La-enter the war
on Ger- val, the German wireless' an- nounced later, but the actual many's side.
meeting place was not revealed,
Meanwhile despatches from Berlin received in New York agree that Ribbentrop has left the German capital.
He is generally believed to be on his way to Vichy or Madrid or both and it is hinted that a final peace settlement with the Petain Government may be in the wind.
Comment Of
Reports were current early yes-
If this is true perhaps Hitler is planning a new French Gov- ernment under Laval,
It is believed one, of the first The Ambassador was under- things the Hitler-Laval meeting stood to have discussed a propo-l's likely to accomplish is to end United the technical state of war still sal to send additional
existing between France and Ger- States observers to Martinique.
M. Haye declined to comment many.
If the French Government is directly on the report but said the American and French Gov-willing to support the Axis it is ernments were trying to deter thought Hitler might agree to an
settlement mine what to do with the 100 immediate peace
by American-made warplanes which. France would be assured of which the French aircraft-retaining most of her pre-war carrier Bearn had taken there. territory both at home and in the In answer to questions about Empire, though possibly with the the Vichy Government's reaction exception of Alsace-Lorraine, to Mr. Churchill's address, M. Savoy and Djibouti, Haye said: "I don't know. I only know my own. I was very Baudoin In The Swim much impressed but if he had said
French Ambassador On leaving the office of Mr. Sumner Welles, U.S. Under-Secretary of State, after a talk yesterday, M. Henry Haye, the French Ambassador, told waiting much." Reuter.
NANTAO PRECAUTION
SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
IMPORTANT PRECAUTION-- ARY MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE JAPANESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN NANTAO, THE CHINESE AREA OF SHANGHAI.
When the Japanese re-opened Nantao a month ago, the step- greatly aided revival of business and trade prosperity,
With the growth of its popula-
ENGLAND'S tion; however, "undesirable" cle-
FOOD POSITION
Reviewing the food si- tuation in the Commons| yesterday the Minister of
been rapidly improving. Agriculture said it had Total production in food- stuffs, said Mr. Hudson, had been materially in- creased.
The result of the efforts of farm- ers had been not only an increase in the amount of foodstuffs grown but in livestock population.
The second winter of the war was therefore entered upon with considerably increased reserves of meat on the hoof.
British agriculture was in a well balanced condition
to meet demands which next year's cam- paign would, make,
As a result of conversations with the Minister, the governors of the principal banks had appoint- ed liaison officers in every "coun- ty to discuss with county agri- | In return France might be cultural executive committees any something about easing the block- ade for the benefit of French wo-offered
British difficulties of individual farmers, portions of the men
that would Empire, especially in North Africa,, who, in the opinion of the com- touch the French people very if and when Britain is defeated. mittee, ought to have credit and
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Meanwhile the French For- eign. Minister, M. Paul Baudoin, told American correspondents yesterday: "Collaboration with Germany is absolutely neces- sary...
"If we look at the map and consider the importance of the Franco-German bloc we realise the absurdity of the previous policy which had France and Ger- many continually oppos'ng one
another.
had been unable to get it.
Agricultural labour had been adequate during the' year thanks to recruitment from various sources, Including the Land Army and volunteers from schools and, univeralties.
The Minister of food had agreed to stabilise the price of feeding stuffs until next year and the Ministry of Supply had agreed to stabilise the price of fertilisers.
Taking the whole of agricul- ture and prices together, condi- tions now created gave that sta- "That policy of errors was bility and security of reasonable the main reason for the war of remuneration for which for years 1939.
That war was caused by the farming community had been the Incapacity of stateamchasking.-British Wireless.
to organise a realistic balance
of power in Western Europe." M. Baudoin' said Europe would be reorganised before many. months and said France must be prepared. International News Service...
STOLE WREATH FROM A GRAVE
Au Fong, 22, was sentenced to two months' hard labour by Mr.
STRIKE
SETTLED
TRAMS AND BUSES ARE RESUMING -TO-DAY IN THE FRENCH! CONCESSION IN SHANGHAI FOLLOWING SET- TLEMENT OF THE MONTH- LONG STRIKE LED BY THE PRO-NANKING. LABOUR UN-
ION.
It is reported that the French H. G. Sheldon, K. C., this morn-Tramway Company has recognis- ing, for stealing an artificialed the new union and has wreath from a grave in the creased wages $6 a month. Colonial Cemetery.
Thirty-five were arrested
Dr. I. Newton, of Kowloon rioting during the strike Hospital, has reported the theft, was one of the longest in. of silver ware, valued at $75, from city's history.-Reuter. his quarters, between 9.30 am. and 11.45 a.m. yesterday.
CRUEL FRAUD
Lau Kwal-lan, 35, married woman, was charged befors Mr. H. G. Sheldon, K. C., this morning, with obtaining money by false pretencer.
It was alleged that on October 4 and yesterday, defendant obtained $1.50 each rem" two women by pretending that "she could obtain employment for them."
Defendant was remanded for 48' hours.
The pronx “special”” to telegrama' in used by the "Sunday. Herald" - and “China Mall!! `to indicato,nawa whlah in strictly copyright under the provi alona of the Telecommunications: Or dinance, 1936, and may not be reprint:
Power and Performance
in-
for
which
the
the
ments filtered through and special precautionary measures'«. re-introduced in the area include special passes. Hayas.
I
STOP PRESS
[SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"]
Reliable sources in Shang- hai state that General Abe, Special Envoy to the puppet Chinese government in Nan- to king, has been retalled
failure Tokyo owing to his to reach an agreement with Wang Ching-wel.
General Abe was given the task of negotiating "the con- clusion of peace:
The same source states that may now attempt
negotiations
Japan direct
with
Chiang Kai-shek.-Our Own Correspondent.
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