1940-10-28 — Page 48

THE

CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 28, 1940

i

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

Menzies

Speculation

POLITICAL OBSERVERS IN ZURICH EX-

FOLLOW VERY CLOSELY ON THE PETAIN-

Cabinet FECT FRESH GERMAN MILITARY ACTION TO

Australia's reconstruct-HITLER AGREEMENT. ed Federal Cabinet was announced in Melbourne yesterday.

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

formation, the veteran ex-Premier

Indications to this effect are supported by Italian press forecasts of imminent action in the eastern Mediterranean.

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.ilcant. McBride (Supply and Develop- ment and Munitions), andTM Mr. H. E. Holt (Labour and National Service). Reuter.

FULL CREDIT TO ROYAL NAVY

"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 at

the water's edge," declared Col. Frank Knox, US. Secretary of Navy, in a speech at Chicago yes- terday.

The new United States Navy which would come into being in the next five years, he added; would be thoroughly competent to meet any possible combination of enemies that could be brought against the United States. - Reuter.

It is felt the Vichy Govern- men: is reluctant to reveal the terms to the French public be- fore they can be faced with a falt accompll.

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 to resist if probably be unable faced with a choice between vo- luntarily or involuntarily allow- pass Reports that two Cabinet meet-ing the German army to ings were held in Vichy before through Spain.-Reuter.

Petain accepted the German terms Vichy's Reticence

are considered to indicate that

Patain had to overcome strong re-(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL") sistance withir the Government itself.

Strategic Concessions

It is not believed in Zurich that Petain has agreed to active parti- ripation by French forces in the war against Britain but it is con- sidered probable that Hitler has gained concessions of strategic importance for the prosecution of the war in the Mediterranean,

Many reports are reaching Zurich Indicating the growing anxiety of the French public for 3 British victory but beside these must be placed the fact

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Only official announcement

in Vichy on the Petain-Hitler talks was an official communique which stated the two statesmen "made

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 enforcement will be examined later."

Meanwhile the newspaper "Le Temps" says that the fact the Vice- that Pierre Laval,

return to Premier, did not Vichy with Marshal Petaln -but went to Paris, lends ground to the belief that the Franco- German negotiations have not yet been completed."

- that

The paper added: **In any case it must be admitted 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 fu- ture of France and Europe were really taken."-Havas.

No Mention Of Military Aid

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 Mediterranean, to the British Fleet with the help of France and Spain.

Hitler may have

secured Vichy's consent to collaborate, But there lo as yet no indication that Spain is ready to sacrifice herbolt to save Germany, :frám: defeat: S

The steady growth of the Free. French movement in Africa will also prove a serious obstacle, to any Vichy attempts to get the sup- port of the French Empires.for' Germany, Heuter.

“Generous Offers"

Despite the oficial silence Vichy regarding the Franco-Ger- man agreement the Vichy cortes- pondent of the "Nene Zucrther Zeitung wrote, yehtëreny hó“un-" derstood Hitler made." "exception": ally generous offers to: Petain's. Governments done.

“Emphasis was läld on turn of tho, Government and the release of French ors of

:

STOP PRESS

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