London, Oct. 23.
Regarding the report of talks pro-ceding between the French and German authorities concerning the floged handing over of the French Fleet it was stated in authoritative quartery here, says Reuters' Diploma tie Correspondent, that they have no knowledge of their precise nature but fave no reason to doubt that conversations were in. progress between Pierre Laval, French Vice-ise to assume that M Laval is acting with complete pequleseence and approval of his Vichy: colleagues. 1t is wondered why the Germans should choose this mo~ rent to impose these fresh and rather shameful peace terms on, France, They may have considered that thig is their last opportunity to wrest agreement from the French people Such terms, it Is stated here, would merely perpetuate for France the terrible position, which Britain hopes. is only temporary, in which she now finds herself "Authoritative elreles point out that if France believed. she could benefit from thee terms it could only be a triumph of hope over experience. It confirmed in, London that General Maxime Weyxand, High Commissioner for French Africa, is now In -Dakar.
Reuter.
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