Vichy, Feb. 4.
The 50-day inipasse in French: German relations appeared to be at en end yesterday as the result of talks at Paris between Admiral Fran-cols Darlan, Navy Minister, M. Pierre Laval, recently deposed Foreigw Minister and Vice-Premier, ana Herr Otto Abetz, German Ambassador to Paris.
Observers here felt an almost virual certainty that the present Vichy Cabinet would be swept out of office within a week and that M. Laval, who is a favourite of the Germans, and a new Cabinet would be placed in power, fully pledged to active German collaboration.
In the Lower House, at an open session, Mr. Matsuoka leat ed that there were means through which the strained relations between Japan and the United States could be improved, In the secret session of the House of Peers Budget Committee hi ever, nothing was revealed of questions or answers re. Jap: foreign relations, Mr. Arita was reported to have interpellated Mr. Matsuoka relative. io Japan's foreign relations, The vernacular press this evening voiced disappointment and indirect criticism because a secret session was held, The newspapers were disappointed because interpellation of an incumbent Foreign Minister by a former Foreign Minister was a rare instance and especially as Mr. Arita's questions were believed to have been extremely interesting.
The Japanese newspapers were especially displeased because Mr. Arita has been considered a pro-British because he statesman ud alleged to have been opposed to the ti partite alliance with Ger-
France appeared to be heading towards a Government composed of M. Laval, M. Paul Baudouin, Admiral Darlan and General Charles Huntzlger, War Minister, acting in the name of Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, Premier. Marshal Petain "probabl will retain full authority as Chief of the Government, observers believed.
Admiral Darlan, it was predicted, would, supervise home affairs, M. Laval, foreign affairs and propaganda, Gen. Huntziger, national defence, and M. Baudouin, all technical service, including finance, labour. nroc^iction, agriculture and communications, Admiral Darlan said yesterday in an interview published in the "Oficial Journal" that the French Fleet at present and in the future would "join under complete French jurisdic-n and defend itself and the Empire nst any challenge whatsoever from quarter whatsoever,"—
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.