Evening star., 1941-08-11
New Nazi Proposals
Believed Awaited
By Vichy Leaders
Confused Situation May
Well Lost for Days,
Observers Soy
BY PAUL GHALI,
Foreign CORRESPONDENT of The Star
Chicago Daily News

Chicaeo Daily News
VICHY. Unoccupied France Aug,
11.-Highlighted by the broadcast
last night of a dispatch from New
York by the British Broadcastlng
Corp. containing Americas threat
to break off diplomatic relations with
France" Vichy's week end was one
of public uneasiness and intense
governmental activity.
This capital if full of conflicting
reports, authentic information being
most difficult to sift out. Anything
approaching a rupture between the
United States and France would be
the deepest blow to France since
its defeat by Germany and French
official circles seem confident today
that nothing of the sort is in the air.
Never have America and Ameri-
cans been shown more friendliness
by the French than during recent
dramatic days. And Marshal Petain
himself and his entourage continue
to emphasize the chief of states
deep personal esteem for Ambassa-
dor William D. Leahy-an interest
ing contrast to the attitude of the
Paris press AS for yesterdays B. c.
c. broadcast that is dismissed as
mere British propaganda.
Important Meeting Held.
Week end meetings we're held be-
tween Marshal Petain and various
members of the government. Per-
haps the most important of all was
that on Saturday night between
Marshal Petain, Vice Premier Ad-
miral Jean Darlan, North African
Pro-Counsel Gen. Maxine Weygand,
Jacques Benoist- t-Mechin, Vichy rep
resentative in Paris for collaboration
with the Germans, and Georges
Scapini, Vichy's Ambassador to Ber-
lin on all questions relating to
French war prisoners.
The confused situation hereabouts,
meanwhile, may well last for some
days, according to well-informed
sources. 1t appears likely that
Vichy is awaiting new proposals
from the Germans. Otto Abetz,
Adolf Hitlers emissary to Paris,
left there for Berlin on Saturday
and has not yet returned.
Demands Reported.
(The British radio broadcast last
night what it described reports
reaching both Switzerland and
New York" to the effect that Hitler
has demanded that France give him
the use of naval bases in North
Africa and send French troops to
fight against Russia.
On London the British Broad
casting Corp, which beamed these
reports only to Europe, said it's
authority for them was a Wash
ington source who quoted the Swiss
radio"
CHitlers demand for the use Of
French naval bases in North Afri-
ca said the B. B. C. account,
heard here by c. B. S., lis coupled
with the threat that unless Vichy
complies, Corsica and Nice will be
given to Italy.
simultaneously Hitler has de-
manded from Mussolini 10 divisions
on the eastern front Immediately.
If Mussolini refuses, Hitler threat
ems that Italy will have to sur
render all claims to Corsica and
Nice.
GA double-croSs is not new to
Herr Hitler but his urgent need for
cannon fodder. which this particular
double e-cross reveals, is significant"
New Puzzle Develops.
A new puzzle developed Saturday
when the important cabinet meet
ing slated for that day was post
poned. The reason given here is
that the marshal has been making
profound study of the situation
before announcing his decision to
the cabinet, now scheduled to meet
at 5 pm. today.