Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-22
BY LOUIS P. LOCHNER,
Associated Press War Correspondent.

Associated Press war Correspondent.
BERLIN. Oct. 22-The possibility
that France may re-enter the war
on the side of the axis powers was
foreseeen here today amid indi-
cations that Foreign Minister
Joachim Won Ribbentrop either is
on his way. or is about to embark
upon, a journey to the southwest,
presumably to Vichy.
Secrecy surrounded Won Ribben-
trop's movements.
dispatches from Les YER
rieres, Switzerland. on the French
border, quoted Informed travel
erS as saying the axis powers
were attempting TO persuade
France to declare war on Britain
by offering her comparatively
easy peace terms. Vice Premier
Pierre Laval was reported to be
in Paris discussing the situation
with Nazi officials)
There have been rumors here for
weeks of e pending amicable ar
rangement with France. For fort
night, the German press has re-
Trained from saying anything de-
rogatory about the vanquished
nation.
Visit May Clinch Farley.
British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill's appeal last night to
France to refrain from doing any,
thing that might hurt the British
cause, finally gives substance, how
ever, to recurring limitations that
German negotiations with France
have advanced to the stage where
visit by Won Ribbentrop may
clinch them
Whether Won Ribbentrop, if real
ly bound for Vichy. will continue on
to Madrid, also was a question for
speculation in the German capital
Inquiries of informed sources as
to whether a visit to Moscow is also
on the Foreign Minister'S schedule
were met only with shrugs of the
shoulder and the reply: That comes
later"
Points of Evidence.
In a chain of circumstantial evil
dence. however. the following points
may be mentioned:
/. Rumors concerning negotiation!
with France have been recurring
here with frequency in the past
weeks.
2. Hints by authorized sources that
the Balkans are matter OF second.
airy importance to other events In
the offng.
3. Unusual secrecy with which
Won Ribbentrops present movements
are shrouded.
4. The fact that his press chief
DR.. Paul Schmidt. has also beer
out of town for several days.
S. Churchill's unusual appeal tt
France at this particular time.
Rumors Seem Plausible.
Berlin observers were particularly
struck by Mr.. Churchill's plea thai
if France cannot help Britain a
least she should not hinder her for
mer ally.
There are practical considera-
tons which make the rumors OF
French rapprochemen1
seem plausible.
For one thing. it is believed here
the French are finding Vichy highly
unsuitable as a seat of government
and Chief of State Philippe Petair
might seize the opportunity OF con-
Guiding a definite peace with Ger
many rather than continuing armis-
tice conditions which make return
of the government to Paris un-
feasible.
France May Get African Loot.
Moreover, by supporting the axis
in a military way in Africa, it is
pointed out, France may hope to
fall heir to some British colonies as
compensation for the loss of Alsace-
Lorraine and possibly Burgundy.
Since France holds African terri
tory closest to South America
Dakar and its surroundings-aXis
plans for weaving South AmerieNn
&C.. ND NCT peoo ~