June 12.
On Tuesday evening Admiral Darian, Vichy's vice-Premier, delivered a broadcast address which is in' striking contrast with the speech made by Mr. Churchill on the same day. The Admiral fully realizes the parlous condition in which France stands Because of the continuance of the armistice and the possibility of Hitler denouncing it ut any time it suited his purpose. He points out that if France at any time gave Germany cause {0 denounce it, it would be tantamount to suicide both for herself and her Empire, His explanation of the tortuous policies he has been following is summed up in his declaration of the necessity of creating an atmosphere favourable to the establishment of an: honourable peace. "Should this atmosphere not be created," he said, "T fear a disastrous peace for France. This fear is jot based upon an impression, but upon a certainty." Britain and her Allies do not fear a disastrous peace for France, because it is their intention to continue the war until they dictate the terms of peace. That and that alone will bring to France a restoration of that -honour which Vichy has so grievously besmirched, that alone will save France and her Empire of that dismemberment which it is notorious Hitler plans.
We will not obtain an honourable peace: if France, deprived of numerous departments and of her important territories abroad, enters into the new Europe reduced and Lattered." He must realize that this war is a German war of revenge and spoliation, Hitler has declared time and time again that there can be no peace for Germany until France is destroyed, and yet Admiral Darlan professes t6 believe thus, by. assisting Germany to defeat Great Britain, France will obtain better terms than it present appear likely. "Hiller contemplates no honourable peace fur eny country which he defeats, rat 1 has made clear time and time again. 'The only interests he considers are German interests, the establishment of an economic and industrial superior Germany and the relegation' of subdued nations to utter, serfdom.
Admiral Darlan dare not tell his people that. "It would arouse the fury of the Germans if he did, but there are many mil-ions in France' who see no hope for the future save in a victory over the enemy. A reduction in the amount of the occupation levy, the return of a few thousands of prisoners of war represents all up to the present which Admiral Darlan has secured for his ruckling to Hitler. Areas in occupied France have been denuded of their ogricultural labour which has been transported into Germany. Unoccupied France has been oblived to yield foodstuffs to the conqueror. The fraudulent despoiling of the French through the use of the Reichsmark continues and Darlan "out-Lavals" his predecessor. Does the vice-Premier for one moment be-Yeve that he can ever remove the German impression that France remains Germany's hereditary enemy? If he does he is far 100 credulous to be in charge of his country's Interests. If he does not he is betraying his own countrymen with a tie, The issue for France is plain, France has no future if Britain fails to save her from her enemy, The Nazi leaders have declared their intentions time and time again, There may be modification in their attitude from 8 superficial point of view in order to secure as much assistance from the French as pos sible. "Hitler will doubtless promise anything to wet hold of the French Navy but that he would keep his promise no sensible person for one moment believes, A man who will betray Moly, as Hitler has done with regard her demands on France, will have decid edly less compunction ini betraying a, con-onered and helpless enemy if he is given the opportunity, That Britain and her Allies are determined he shall not have, and that France shall be restored to her former position Ju Europe. It is rather more than a little iron= ical that Admiral Darlan and his fellows are doing their utmost to thwart the only nations which an bring them freedom, but doubtless when France is liberated, despite their efforts, the French themselves will see that they receive their just reward,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.