Evening star., 1940-12-15
FIundin, Successor,
To Keep Policy Of
Tie With Nuzis
b. the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
VICHY, France, Dec. 14.-The
world was permitted to learn to-
night that Pierre Laval, No. 2 man
of the Vichy government, had been
ousted. but that his policy of col
laboration with Germany will be
continued under Pierre-Etienne
Flandin.
M. Laval was deposed as vice pre-
mier and foreign minister last night.
M Ffandin took over the foreign
ministry. The vice premiership was
left empty.
AS the hectic events of the last
"a hours unfolded-their full story
still may not be told-informed per-
sons said the action was directed
mainly against M. Lavals activity
at home and not against the prin-
ciple of German collaboration, which
Marshal Henri Philippe Petain,
chief of state. has Endorsed.
Hitler Told of Change.
Significant was the official an
nouncement that the change had
been communicated to Reichsfueh-
rer Hitler before the public was told,
informing him that pro-German,
Rightist Flandin was more apt
than his predecessor at "collabora-
ton"
The old marshal himself told the
people the change would not affect
French relations with Germany, al
though NJ Laval was the man who
had done more than any one to
bring France close to the axis.
Yet Marshal Petain, in words
weighty with significance, explained
to France that the resignation" of
M. Laval was essential for reasons
of interior policy, for the country's
unity, and went on:
II remain at the helm! The ma
tional revolution continues
The best available diplomatic
opinion saw behind the custer a
growing distrust by both Marshal
Petain and Gen. Maxine Weygand,
the powerful supreme commander in
Africa, for M. Lavals negotiations
with Germany. Gen. Weygand, it is
known. has been afraid France
might lose sovereignty over some of
her African possessions, and has
spoken out against any cession. Be-
hind him is the undefeated French
army in Africa.
Laval Known to Despise British.
M. Laval. on the other hand, is
known to despise the British and
has indicated his desire to see them
crushed, perhaps even with the ac-
tive help Of the French, their former
ally.
M. Petain, naturally, can make no
open break with the Germans at
this time nor even withdraw from
the more or less vague 'collabora-
ton" which he has pledged to Hit
Ter. However, it is obvious that he
feels M F1andin, despite his known
pro-axis views. will not go beyond
Marshal Petain's own decisions in
pursuing this collaboration
Pierre Laval" the marshal said
over the radio, lis no longer part
of the government"
Then he announced that the con-
stitutional act ulsder which M. Laval
would have slssseded him as chief
.ot-ssEte II Anything happened, rs
annulled"
Communications Cut.
M. Petains successor, now, Will be
selected by the Council OF MINISTERS
II the necessity arises.
Official announcements OF the
changes were read to the press after
a day in which France had been cut
off frcm all communication with the
outside world. They we're read by
Marcel Peyrouton, the interior min
lister who now is strong man in the
government.
1t was he who cut off the COM
munications yesterday, even those
of embassies and ministeries.
NJ Lavals powers over press,
radio and motion pictures were
given, by decree, to Paul Baudouin.
secretary of state for the president
Of the council. Jacques Chevalier
was named minister of education,
succeeding Georges Ripert.
Thus the swarthy, white-tied La
val, who made the first personal con-
tact with Hitler after the defeat of
(See VICHY, Page AID