1940-10-28 — Page 16

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 28, 1940 ·

EXPECTATIONS OF MEDITERRANEAN ACTION Swiss Predict An Axis Assault On Gibraltar The New Wide Field Of

Menzies Cabinet

Australia's reconstruct- ed Federal Cabinet was

Speculation

POLITICAL OBSERVERS IN ZURICH EX- PECT FRESH GERMAN MILITARY ACTION TO FOLLOW VERY CLOSELY ON THE PETAIN- HITLER AGREEMENT.

Indications to this effect are supported by announced in Melbourne Italian press forecasts of imminent action in yesterday.

the eastern Mediterranean.

It includes Mr. R. G. Menzies as Prime Minister and Minister for Co-ordination of Defence and In-

formation, the veteran ex-Premier

In Swiss comment, Gibraltar is openly mentioned as the next probable objective for Axis attack.

Mr. W. M. Hughes as Attorney- General and Minister of Navy, Col. Spender (Army), Mr. K. McEwen (Air), Sir Earl Page Meanwhile diplomatic observers (Commerce), Mr. A. W. Fadden in Zurich consider the silence, of, (Treasurer). Sir Frederick Stew- the Vichy Government regarding art (External Affairs, Social Ser- the proposals to Petain as signi- vices and Health), Senator P. A. McBride (Supply and Develop- ment and Munitions), and Mr. H. E. Holt (Labour and National Service). ― Reuter.

FULL CREDIT TO ROYAL NAVY

ficant

that France is in effect an au thoritarian State, with Laval as the controlling power.

As regards Spain, diplomatic circles in Zurich are convinced that Franco is unwilling to in- volve Spain in the war but will probably be unable to resist if. laced with a choice between vo- luntarily or involuntarily allow-

German army to

pass through Spain.-Reuter.

It is felt the Vichy Govern- ment is reluctant to reveal the terms to the French public be- fore they can be faced with a fait accompli. "Reports that two Cabinet meet-ing the ings were held in Vichy before Petain accepted the German terms are considered to indicate that Vichy's Reticence Petain had to overcome strong re-(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") sistance within the Government itself.

Strategic Concessions

in

Only official announcement Vichy on the Petain-Hitler talks was an official communique which stated the two statesmen "made a general survey of the situation, with particular reference to the restoration of peace in Europe,

The two statesmen reached agreement in principle on colla- boration of which the means of

.be enforcement will

examined

"England's defence in the last three months by the magnificent R.A.F. was fundamentally only possible because the British Fleet was there to halt the Germans atļ It is not believed in Zurich that the water's edge, declared Col. Petain has agreed to active parti- Frank Knox, U.S. Secretary of cipation by French forces in the Navy, in a speech at Chicago yes-war against Britain but it is con- terday.

sidered probable that Hitler has The new United States Navy gained concessions of strategic which would come into being in Importance for the prosecution of the next five years, he added, the war in the Mediterranean. would be thoroughly competent to Many reports are reaching | later.".

Zurich indicating the growing -anxiety of the French public for a British victory but beside thece must be placed: the fact

meet any possible combination of enemies that could be brought against Reuter.

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Meanwhile the newspaper "Le Temps" says that the fact that. Plorre Laval, the Vice- Premier, did not return to Vichy with Marshal Petain but went to Paris, ·lends-ground to -the_bellef: that "the Franco-" German negotiations have not yet been completed.

The paper added: "'In any case it must be admitted that we have arrived at a turning point in Franco-German relations such as they were established by the Armistice Convention.”

The French press as a whole refrains from forecasts regarding future developments. "Le Journ- al" wonders whether "decisions of major importance for the ture of France and Europe were really taken."--Havas,

No Mention Of Military Aid

fu-

COMMENTING ON THE HIT- |LER/PETAIN AGREEMENT, A LONDON POLITICAL OBSER÷ VER SAID YESTERDAY "THAT IT WAS AN “AGREEMENT TO AGREE, BUT STILL FAR FROM AN AGREEMENT TO ACT IN AGREEMENT!".

It is noteworthy that the Vichy communique makes no mention of military aid.

Some observers believe that, having failed in his "peace-blitz- kreig." Hitler may attempt 'an al- ternative move designed to close the Western Mediterraneàn to the British Fleet with the help of France and Spain; -

Hition may have secured Vichy's consent to collaboraté. but there is as yet:no-indication "that" Spain is ready to sacrifice ́-herself to, gave Gormany: from

dofcat.

The steady, growth of the Free, French movement in Africa will also prove a serious obstacle to any Vichy attempts to get the sup

ire for. many. “Reut

OITCS".

41Generous Cators -

Despite the officia, silence Vichy, regarding the Įman agreement, the Wichy. ondent», of the "Netom Z Zeltung" wrote, yesterday he un- derstood Hitler, mada "exception- ally generous offers to Petain's Government,

STOP PRESS

Power and Performance

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