Marshal Petain in an interview with the United Press is reported to have declared that the United States had the power to guide the world to peace, or fo an inter-continental war. In saying that he spoke no more than the truth, though not the truth that he apparently intended. It is true that the United States has such power, and is in fact already using it. It is only by ensuring 28 that the Allies are victorious that peace can be secured and the inter-continental war, which Marshal Petain foresees, avoided. That has all along been recognized by President Roosevelt, and is becoming increasingly so by the people of the United States. "Peace can only be obtained by the destruction of. Nazilsm and Fascism. The aged Marshal avers willingness to go along With President Roosevelt in any peace tnltiative that America may start. Whether this is merely an expression of his own opinion, or a German inspired peace feeler is not clear but it is certain that, as matters stand, it will meet with no particularly enthusiastic response.
Jot his own will he gave the impression of [suppressing his lively optimism in order that Jover-confidence should not be felt.
The Prime Minister took occasion to deal with some of the critics of the Government outside the House, and the impression to be /gained from his remarks is that it was about time that some of them were brought to a, realization of what the Government had done, doing and will do in the future. "But the very fact that he found it necessary to answer! eriticsm indicates that one of the inestimable benefits of democracy, namely, that of free speech 1s preserved in Britain' even in time jof war. Hiller never answers criticism. There is none. If there were, doubtless the headsman's sword would render it inarticulate. The contrast between the liberty of expression in Great Britain, and the ruthless! suppression in Germany and the occupied countries is just as great as the contrast between the two Warring ideologies. Mr. Churehit's defence of British action in Tran was, complete, and, when he summed it up "one of the most successful and well-conducted affairs wherein the Foreign Office had ever been concerned," he pald high tribute to the execution of a policy in con-unction with Russiagwhich completely null 'The Marshal is reported as having said fied German intrigues in' that part of the that his admiration for America' was world. paralleled only by his resentment towards 'The improvement in the Battle of the British policy concerning France. "England'
Adantic "is most gratifying. The Prime relations with France since the Armistic Minister very wisely points out that all he said, "have been a succession of psycho-danger has not yet been removed, and that logical errors, for which England is to be renewed and even severer attacks by U-beals blamed. The British must really never have and long-range German aeroplanes are to be had knowledge of us to have believed we expected. The hope will be that the measures could turn against them." But yet that is which are being taken for the defence. of precisely what Vichy France did. Its col~ merchant shipping in the Atlantic, with the Taboration with Germany was directed assistance of the United States fect, will solely against. France's former Ally. The int of such men as Laval and Darlan ultimately bring that menace under control fas it was during the last war. Efforts are have exactly the same ends in view, and being made towards that end, and there is the suggestion is justified that the British little doubt that eventually they will prove Government had a shrewder estimation of effective. his final summing up" Mr. the reliance to be placed in men such as/Churchili told the House that he could give they than Marshal Petain gives it credit for. them no flattering hopes, still less guarantees, That France has not more openly thrown He quoted Mr. Maisky to the effect that there her lot in with Germany is probably due was no assurance that winter would bring mainly to the personality of the Marshal and his insistence that French honour should gry relaxation of the German pressure upon Russia, Nor would it give any assurance ji not be besmirched by any such action, but that the danger of invasion would be entirely there iano doubt that the Anglophobes lifted from the British Isles. Fortunately amongst his advisers are animated by no Great Britain is equipped to meet such a danger as never before in its history.
The suggestion that, if the United States!
Whatever happens in the meanwhile Mr, Kept out of the wan and maintained Churchill warned his hearers that heavy independence of action, she /would at "its fighting must be. expected in. the. spring, end be at the apex of her strength and could. heavier, perhaps, than any. that Britain has formidably contribute toward peace which experienced inthe present war.
That he the Marshal made is interesting as indicating expects will develop in the East to which it how completely misinformed he appears to is expected that Hitler will shortly direct his be as to the actual situation. If the United attention. Fortunately the British have been 'States did any such thing, and defeat for accumulating considerable strength in_ that the Allies "resulted, she' would be in! coming theatre of war, for it is Tealized that exactly the position 'Hitler wants, America' the war machine which Hitler has created would then stand alone against the might is such that it must be continually in motion.
the victorious aggressive States, and the Should it be unable to make much progress onslaught on the western hemisphere would against Russia doubtless. it will be' turned be a foregone "conclusion. That is a fact, towards an attempt to capture the Suez Canal which the Marshal cannot, or will not see.|and thus sever one of the imperial life lines, Hee cannot, or will not sce that the salva: but with the inspiration of sucha man as tion of his own nation depends upon Allied Mr. Churchill and the leadership of men victory and the release of France from the like Generals Wavell and Auchinleck the be Sound and those heavier "bonds "which the Buat tiny may be ex ive a good would surely be placed upon her were account of themselves. They are now fully Hitler ever in a position to be able to apprised of German war methods, have seen dictate peace to Europe. It is failure to them tried out in France and in Russia, and realize those facts, and the depression which sre" "now in better position to. deal with revelled in France atler the eollapee which them than" when mechanized warfare Was have made it possible for Vichy to follow, sprung as a first surprise.
1 polley inimical to" the best' interests the French Empire.
Fortunately there is a large séclion of the French people who do mot see things Inthe ight hat Mabel Pelan ose those of his advisers animated by purely!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.