Evening star., 1940-12-17

hcially, 1t was broached in the cabi-
net meeting July ~. Laval, then
Vice Premier, made a report on his
first trip to Paris, where he con-
ferred with Herr Abetz, former spy
and now German Ambassador to
France. The conference was the
first occasion when a representative
Of the Vichy government met a
representative of the Nazi govern
| ment.
Laval reported that Abetz told
him categorically that there were
two conditions the Vichy govern
ment had to comply with if it was
to gain Hitler's confidence: Pro-
mitigation of anti-Jewish laws and
OF the necessary measures putting
them into effect, and the indictment
and trial Of French leaders respon-
sible for the war.
Abetz pointed out that the Fuehrer
did not include demand for the
surrender of these leaders to Ger
many, contrary to the provision Of
the Versailles Treaty for the hand
ing over of the Kaiser and German
leaders in 1918, but that he insisted
that France herself try the "crimi-
nails"
Laval urged that the Vichy gov
ernment comply with Hitler's de-
mands. Accordingly, he proposed
the indictment Of Daladier, Rey-
maud, Mandel and Gen. Gamelin.
Pietri, Lemery, Mireaux and Ybar-
negaray considered the proposal
humiliating and declared they would
not remain in the government if
the cabinet approved it. Gen. Wey-
gand took the position that such a
trial would be impossible without
the indictment of at least one gen.
eral, but he was opposed to indict-
ing a military man, on the ground
that this would discredit the army,
which Weygand considered the only
hope Of salvation for France.
A crisis was averted, however, by
delaying action. It was first neces-
sary to find court that would con-
vict. The minister of justice was
intrusted with the task.
Within the next two weeks came
the new law establishing a special
high court. Its first session was
held August 8. The compromise
that was sought revolved around the
proposal to indict various individ-
uals and to base the indictments not
upon the direct accusation of re-
sponsibility for the war but upon
failure to make adequate prepara-
tlons for the struggle. It was pro-
posed to begin with the indictment
OF Mandel for his activity in June,
1910. when he conducted conversa-
tions concerning the possibility of
establishing a government in Mo-
rocco. 1t was believed that a case
OF treason could be made out
against Mandel. The Riom court
approved the second mode Of proce-
dure. and ordered an investigation
OF Pierre Cot and Guy La Chamber,
the two last Ministers of Aviation
in the Republican government.
Squabble About Mandel.
These attempts ended in failure.
The military prosecutor in Morocco,
intrusted with the task of investi-
eating Mandel, found there was no
evidence for an indictment. Min
ister Of Justice Albert thereupon
sought to prevail upon the Riom
court to issue its own indictment
against Mandel This led to a
sharp clash between the court and
Albert. One of the judges, Prof.
Ripert. dean of the law faculty of
the University Of Paris, told the
minister:
IF you want to take revenge
upon political opponents, you Will
have to find other men for the pur-
pose. I will not now besmirch my
gray hair"
The Germans were not satisfied
with the idea of staging a trial on
the accusation of responsibility for
inadequate preparedness. ANY such
trial would naturally involve the in
dictment of Hitler's entire fifth COL
umn in France, recruited by Abetz.
1t was natural. therefore. that Laval
found his second conference with
Abetz. in August, rather unpleas-
ant. Abetz informed Laval that the
Fuehrer was not to be trif1ed with.
He demanded that the government
take immediate action to meet Hit
ler's conditions.
On August 30 Laval reported to
the cabinet on his second conversa-
tion with Abetz Albert was ordered
to prepare a plan of action for pres
entation at the cabinet meeting
September 3. Marquet, then Min
lister Of the Interior, appeared at
that meeting with a rather vague
program for the maintenance of
internal order. but behind the
scenes a real conspiracy had in the
meanwhile been concocted Head
ing the conspiracy were Albert and
Peyrouten, the new Minister of the
Interior. Animated by a venomus
hatred of the republic and all Re-
publicans, these monarchists had
long been dreaming of revenge.
Their plan was to put on trial all
prominent leaders of the Popular
Front especially Leon Blum.
New Government Formed.
The cabinet meeting of Septem-
ber was stormy one. Adjourn
ment was taken to September S.
Marshal Petain, who in the mean
while had fallen under the influence
of Albert and Peyrouton, an
nounced his intention of reorganiz-
ing the government and requested
the ministers to hand in their re-
signations. These were Immediately
submitted, and the new cabinet met
within an hour. The new ministers
had been appointed in advance and
had been kept waiting in an ante
room.
The composition of the new cabi-
net was wholly in line with Ger
many's desires. Gen. Weygand and
his immediate aides, who were &C
cused by the Germans of sabotaging
the rehabilitation of the French
Army, were removed. Weygand's
place as Minister of War was taken
by Gen. Huntzinger, Frances rep