Tribute to Integrity of Petain Paid by "Times"
London. Feb. 4.
Whatever the immediate }deman: s which now confront the Vichy government, the ultimate goal of Nozi policy is to disintegrate France from within......it would be unfair not io pay tribute to Marshal Petain's integrity, good intentions and tenaity of purpose. says "The Times.
o long as he effectively controls the remaining part of the French feet and the colonial empire, the: assets provide a solid basis for his resistance......but France is materially broken and morally inert. There is no cry which coulè effectively rally her. except the call to a crusade against the common enemy. and thi the Marshal is powerless to raise.
The "Daily Mail" declares the r: ported statement by Admiral Francois Darlan, Vich: minister, on the eve of his departure for Paris to meet Hitler's agent, Herr Otto Abetz, that the French fleet at present and in future will remain under French jurisdiction, will be welcomed in Britain as "an indication of the increasei belief of the Vichy govern-a British victory."—Re while Mr, Matsuoka the propelling force leading to the conclusion of the accord, With Presidert Roosevelt still apparently thinking that American relations can be adjusted if Japan "accepts his view: Jepan also has not a improving the relations, Mr, Yosuke Matsuoka, Foreign Minister, said today.
Responding to questions by Mr. Yusuke Tsurumi before the House Budget Committee, Mr, Matsuoka said, "Even today I do not think President Roosevelt himself desires war with Japan,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.