THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 21, 1940.
New Phase In Nazi-French Relations Apparently Opens Weygand In Africa The Trump Card
GERMAN DEMANDS ON VICHY
THE MEETINGS of the French Cabinet are believed in London to be due to the new phase in Franco-German relations caused by the dismissal of Laval and Abetz's visit to Vichy.
Reports from Vichy strengthen the im- pression that Marshal Petain and Flandin are The Vichy Cabinet met willing to envisage closer economic, relations yesterday under Marshal
with Germany, at Abetz's behest, but that any Petain, and although ab- solute silence is being German demand in excess of the armistice maintained about what
terms would be resisted by Marshal Petain, happened, it seems pro- bable that the Nazi de- whose trump card is the presence of General mands formed the chief Weygand in Africa. topic of discussion.
Neutral observers in Berlin un- derstand that the German de- mands include a free passage for Nazi troops to the Italian frontier and the linking of France to Ger- Tan war strategy in place of Italy. This last possibility is causing some concern to Rome,
Observera
BRINDISI
BOMBED
there insist that AIRCRAFT OF THE R.A.F.
France will be treated as a van- quished nation, not one at peace with the victor.
Italy is not being left in the cold, these same Rome observers insist.
While she is not taking part in the talks, Italy is being informed of developments, say these ob- servers.--Reuter.
ATTACKED THE IMPORTANT ITALIAN TOWN OF BRINDISI ON THURSDAY NIGHT, SAYS A ROME ANNOUNCEMENT.
in
four
The Italians say that the British
came over machines waves. Reuter.
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It is said that Marshal Petain has had to make certain conces - sions to Abetz, including the lib- eration of the Comte de Brinon, us French delegate to the occu- pied zone.
Seemingly the Germans, real- dla- ising that Laval was too oredited to serve their рurрове 'n affice again, selected de Brin- on as an alternative tool.
It is thought, however, that the Franco-German situation is un- likely to undergo much change at present.
Military Position Germany already controls French industry, while if she made demands of a military na ture she would risk forcing Mar shal Petain to resign and giva General Weygand the signal that
the time had come to resume re- sistance. Reuter.
TARANTO
OFFICERS DECORATED
Gestapo Tightens Its Grip On Vichy
now
Fearing lest the pressure they are exercising on Vichy should lead to a situation in which Marshal Petain and his collabora- tors, pushed beyond endurance, might feel that the only solution would be their flight Germans have in- into North Africa, the creased the number of Gestapo men in Vichy and have placed members of the 'Ger- man secret police on guard at French ports and aerodromes, states the Free French
agency.
C
the
The perpetual fear of bringing about breakaway of the French African Empire en- joins caution among the Nazis but none less they are now doing all they can to wear down the resistance of the few men around!
to Marshal Petain who continue hold out!
and
deal- against dishonourable
traitorous ings such as were recently advocated by Laval-Reuter.
TRUANT RUHR TURNS UP
AGAIN
More successes against Italy have been achieved by the British Navy.
It was ufficially announced yes- terday that the submarine Truant (Lt-Comm. H. A. V. Haggard) on the right of December 13/14 attacked an escorted convoy of heavily laden supply ships off Cape Spartivento.
HEAVILY
RAIDED
Targets in the Ruhr and western Germany, in- synthetic oil cluding plants, power stations and | railway junctions, were attacked on Thursday
One of the enemy supply ships was sunk and a second night and despite bad possibly sunk,
weather all the British aircraft returned safely.
The following night Truant
torpedoed and sank a large Ita- lian tanker off the Calabrian coast. The tanker was deeply laden and was steering south.-——— Reuter.
Lt. Commander
Haggard
The deadly blow struck well-known in Hong Kong. at the Italian navy when the Fleet Air Arm made
its daring raid on Taranto TOWN HAS
last OWN RAID
is recalled by the an- nouncement in night's London "Gazette" of honours conferred on six of the officers concern- ed."
INSURANCE
is
fee
A sixpenny registration and a subscription of 18. a month Two are made Companions of will protect the people of Maldon, the Distinguished Order, namely Essex, from hardship caused by Lt-Comm. John William Halt air raids.
and Lt-Comm. Kenneth William-
son, both of the aircraft-carrier: They have formed their civil "Illustrious."
mutual air-raid damage fund, un-
The other four, who receive der the chairmanship of; the Ma- the D.S.C., are Lt. George Albert yor, Mr. S. G. Tydeman. Carline and Lt. Norman John:
Scarlem, also of "Illustrious," and
Members whose hontes and
Lt. David Gordon Goodwin and furnitureare damaged during raids
Capt.
will be able to claim instant re-
·Oliver Patch, Royal
Marines, of the aircraft-carrier lief from the pool of subscriptions. "Eagle."-Reuter.
STOCK EXCHANGE
ENLIVENED
·
After early quietness the news of the latest naval action in the Mediterranean imported a better disposition on the London Stock Exchange yesterday and several sections showed more live final Gilt-edged: stogés.
The object of our scheme Is to supplement the Government legislation compensation in ras- peot of air-rald damago,,” “an of -
ficial of the fund told a report
er.
The Air Ministry stated that in the Duisberg area two large fires, were observed and oil targets near Cologne were set ablaze.
Several fires were caused at Dusseldorf where anti-aircraft positions were bombed.
2
Heavy bombs were dropped at Essen and four explosions oc- curred.
Targets at Boon were also at- tacked from a low level and one very large fire was observed:
Coastal Command aircraft suc- ressfully attacked the Tiergen- Osto railway which is now ex- ensively used by the enemy for military purposes. Bombs were seen to burst directly on the line at several points. Reuter..
GREEKS RESPOND
In Albania, the Greeks are responding gallantly to General Papagos's or- der-of-the-day calling on them to drive the Italians
"Experience has shown, in | back into the sear places such as Norwich, that real hardship can be caused tempor arily unless there is some focal diate: rellef on fund to give the spot,"
|
Six hundred prisoners have been taken in hand-to-hand fight ing, 10 villages have been occupied. in the central zage and two more heights have been taken in the northern sector.
"harden- Those subscribers who own their ed while Kafirs" met locul own houses will pay contributions The Greeks are also maintain- support and industrials also im- based on the rateable value of ing their push up the Adriatic. proved. Olls, however, were in their own property. A committes cosst, the Italians being pursued regular, many leaders being in- of twelve has been elected to od-along the road to Cimarre fluenced by profit-taking. Elso-pinister the fund, and its mem- In addition to being attacked! where prices were quietly steady Ders will enter an immediate the Greeks, the Fascisti aren with niovements sniall. Wall | grant to all meritory who are in being shelled by British wared pa
dificulties after a raid.
In the Adriatic. Reuter Street was quiet.—Reuter.