The sharpness of Mr. Hull's criticism of Vichy was heightened by speculation with regard to the possibility of an early diplomatic break between Washington and Vichy.
Mr. Hull said it remained to be seen whether the French people would accept "the preposterous status", which Mr. Hull charged the Darlan-Laval "elements" with seeking to impose on the French people, saying that, if they did, they would have to pay for the French to assist Hitler as ce-belligerents in his desperate effort to conquer Britain and to secure control of the seas. Mr.
Hull added:—"In the prevention of such a possibility both the French people and the United States have a common interest of tremendous importance for the future".
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.