The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-26

DO THEY WANT PEAcE7

Germany 5 ana ltaly urgent ~
sire for an early conclusion OF the
European war may be inferred and
the primary motive behind the
secret discussions between Hitler
and Laval II final peace terms
for France are formulated they
will be based on Axis hopes that
the war will thereby be brought
into its final phase.
There are two possible ways
that Hitler aud Mussolini may hope
10 weaken British resistance. The
first is BY inducing France to
join the way with Germany. The
cond is By giving France such
5 nervous peace terms as may invite
the British people to consider
neither further fighting Is worth
while from the standpoint OF Eu-
ropes future.
Heavy pressure will be neces-
ssry to convert France into a mood
u aid Germany against Great Bri-
Tin. Not only is France in no
POSITION 10 become a belligerent
aqain but there is little France
could gain from such a policy COM
laensurate with the serious diff
c-lties that would accrue to her.
Germany might take over the
French fleet. as one Of the terms
Cf peace. but II IS not essential
tar Hitler TO negotiate peace with
tie French II he wishes 10 do this.
Je has France in his grip and he
could seize French warships now
he felt he could use them in a
decisive way TO end the war
Il may be that he will take pos
session OF what is left OF Frances
sea power as one Of the peace
terms, but is Is unlikely that any
such desire forms the basis Of
whatever negotiations are now
proceeding.
Generous peace terms for France
would be extremely difficult for
Germany and Italy to give at the
present time Strategic necessity
requires that Germany hold pos
session Of the French northern
coast and probably Of Atlantic
ports as long as Britain contin-
ues fighting. A large German
army must remain in northern
France too, unless Hitler has
abandoned definitely all hope of
invading the British Isles There
would be no generosity in Germany
olinging 10 northern France for
the duration OF the war, whatever
agreement Hitler might make about
post war German retirements.
Mussollni has so emphasized his
war aims 70 include seizure Of
French southern and eastern terri
tory and colonial possessions in
North Africa that any important
reputation OF these demands
would have bad moral effect. on
the Italian people. No peace terms
could be regarded as generous to
France that took from her such
territory as Italy claims.
Furthermore. the question of
SPANS claim to some part Of the
French African empire must be
given consideration by Hitler and
Mussolini II they wish to keep
Spain within their sphere Of in
fluence. It could not be regard
Cd as a generous gesture to France
If Spanish desires were grstified
at Frances expense.
Thus, there are serious difficult
ties confronting Germany and Italy
II they hope TO gain some ad-
vantage against Britain by making
final peace with France. At the
same time the present unrest in
France and tIe French colonies
under the srmistice agreement
might cause the Axis dictators TO
believe a final peace would over
come the possible threat Of De
q Gaulle free French movement
The DeutscAe Allgsmeine lei
tung, one Of the leading Berlin
newspapers. in an analysis OF con-
ditions In France. says the Vichy
government has lost touch with
The French masses The French
people are described as being skep-
zealand indifferent toward Petain.
A British revival in France
and the colonies. II the war be pro-
lonsed has become very possible.
II that We're TO occur. the Axis
would suffer. especially II il had
TO use force TO subdue the move
ment II France were given final
peace. the De Gaulle agitation
might be seriously hampered. and
this objective may well have been
one Of the principal purposes OF
Hitler's talk with Laval
Under such conditions OF cen
sorship as those prevailing in Eu.
rope II is necessary 20 base inter
pretations OF dispatches upon var
ious events that seem 10 be related
Just now there appears 10 he an
important change In Herr Hitler
attitude. His ban against release
OF news stories between the hours
OF 4 and II p. m Is being followed
with new regulations Heretofore
newspaper correspondent in Ger.
many have been allowed 10 write
rather freely so long az there was
not too much unfayorable com
ment
This freedom was in keeping with
the general tone OF Hitler assur
ance That has been changed
War comment Is now confined Il
official bulletins. Writers can n,
longer express their own opinions
II may logically be suspected tina
Mr. Hitler Is worried.