Evening star., 1941-11-27
Norris Urges u. 5.
Break Relations With
|Vichy Tool Of Hitler
Veteran Senator Declares
We Must Assume Thut
France Is an Enemy
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Senaotr Norris. Independent, of
Nebraska called Marshal Petain "the
tool of Hitler" today and suggested
that the United States sever diplo-
matte relations with the Vichy re-
France Is an enemy"
The Nebraskan apparently was
unlmpressed by reports reaching
New York overnight which ninted
at the possibility of hitch in cur
rent Franco-German negotiations,
with Petain baking at outright
partnership in the Axis.
Il don't know whether that will
make any difference in the eventual
outcome. he said in an interview.
Il don't know just what it means.
Maybe the French will oppose Hit
ler Apparently they are watch
ing all WAR developments"
Meeting Believed Off.
The report from New York said
the expected midweek meeting be-
tween Hitler and Marshal Petain
has not occurred and was regarded
by well-informed neutral sources
abroad as possible sign of disa-
greement. 1t was said that tie
Germans would be unlikely to meet
Vichy leaders without assurance of
satisfactory outcome. Two princi-
pal reasons were listed as underlying
reported resistance by Petain to
German bids
One was the military situation in
Russia, from where the French were
said to have received reports of eX-
tremely heavy Nazi losses, and IN
North Africa where the British drive
into Libya still is in the balance.
| The other was said to have been
reports of renewed Italian pressure
on Berlin for French territory.
May Seize French Ships.
Meanwhile, seizure of II French
ships tied up in American waters
apparently hinged on whether Vichy
extends its collaboration with Ger
many.
The II vessels, including the lux
ury liner Normandie. already are
! under protective custody.
Chairman Emory S. Land of the
Maritime Commission authorized a
statement that there had been no
recent change in the situation re-
garding the, French vessels.
The Maritime Commission was
represented as prepared to take over
the vessels at a moments notice if
requested by the State Department.
The 83,000-ton Normandie easily
is the prize of the French ships lying
idle in American waters. Speedy as
we'll as big the liner is regarded as
ideal for transporting troops and
could be converted into an aircraft
carrier.
Representative Celler, Democrat,
OF New York said in a statement
that he favored breaking of rela-
tions with Vichy 'if France either
surrenders her feet to Hitler and
Mussolini or sanctions Nazi occupa-
ton of Dakar."
Connally More Cautious.
Unlike Senator Norris, Chairman
Connally Of the Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee saw no immediate
reason TO ra diplomatic break.
He told newspapermen, however,
that IF Vichy succumbs to Nazi
pressure and yields North Africa
and the French fleet to Hitler, the
people of the United States will re-
gard it as base betrayal of our
country and the other democracies
of the world"
In such circumstances. he added,
the United States would have to
consider France an enemy.
Senator Connally renewed his
earlier assertions that it would be
necessary for the United States to
take over French possessions in
the Western Hemisphere if Vichy
seemed inclined to give Germany
hand in the colonies administration.
Sees No Reason for Break.
On the other hand, Senator Smith.
Democrat, of South Carolina, dean
of the Senate, argued that there
(See NORRIS, Page 2-A)