Evening star., 1941-02-05
Petain Discusses
Laval Demand With
Dar|an, Huntziger
Council Of Ministers
Expected to Meet to
Weigh Negotiations
BACKGROUND-

Expected TO Meer 70
Weigh Negotiations
BACKGROUND
Custer in December OF Vice
Premier Pierre LaDnl from Vtchy
government created serious stu
alton betWeen defeated France
and Nasi Germany. M. Laudl
DaS leading exponent OF collab-
Grafton tOith Germany. Adolf
Hitler has pressed for use of
French feet and bases to aid
Ddr against England, but Chief
OF State Petdin has held out
against any such demands.
BY the Associated Press.
VICHY, France, Feb. 5.-Chief OF
State Henri Philippe Petain con-
ferled today with Naval Minister
Admiral Jean Darlan and War Min
lister Charles Huntziger, and it was
expected his Council of Ministers
would meet to consider reported
demands for return of Pierre Laval
to a prominent place in the French
government.
The Chicago Daily News cor
respondent in Vichy reported
that word in official circles there
today was that Marshal Petain
had finally agreed on a compro-
mise In Frances crisis with Ger
many, and that Vichy would soon
have a new Nazi- aligned cabi-
net directed by four men, under
supervision of the chief of stateD
Authorized sources said the ne
golatlonS between M. Laval, for
mer Vice Premier and foreign min
lister under Marshal Petain. and the
Vlchy government were completely
amicable.
German authorities. these sources
said, are taking no part in the ne
gotiationS, which were reported to
concern only domestic arrange
mentS within France.
The latest proposal under con-
slderation, it was reported authori-
tatively, is that a four-man, instead
of three-man. directorate be formed
in the government, with Paul Bau-
douln, former secretary of state for
the presidency of the council. in
charge of economic affairs; Gen
Huntziger. of the military. and NJ
Laval and Admiral Darlan as the
other two members.
Question of Ministries.
The question of which ministries
would go to M. Laval and Admiral
Darlan remained, but it was ex-
pected one would receive the in
terror ministry and the other the
foreign affairs portfolio.
If decision is reached, it is eX-
pected that Marshal Petain will
broadcast an announcement. 1t was
learned radio recording apparatus
had been held ready the past two
days to record a speech.
There was no exact indication of
Marshal Petain's attitude after Ad-
miral Darlan reported to him yes
terday on his conferences in Paris
with M. Laval. Otto Abetz, Adolf
envoy to the German -occu-
pied former capital, and Fernand de
Brinon, Vichy's representative in
Paris. Officially, the French were
not informed even that Admiral
Darlan had returned.
The final decision on the return
Of M, Laval to the government and
his future role in it rests entirely
With Marshal Petain, and specula-
ton on his attitude, Frenchmen
said, would be premature.
Foreign Minister Pierre-Etienn
Flandin and Gen. Huntziger met
with the Chief of State and the
Naval Minister yesterday immedi-
ltely after Admiral Darlan returned
rom Paris.
Tension Is Relaxed.
There was an apparent relaxa tion
n tension in the Pare Hotel, where
Darlan made his report to
Marshal Petain. This was accepted
oy some as a sign of a satisfactory
solution to questions which had
an admitted strain on rela-
ions between Vichy and the Ger
nan government.
In Berlin, the official German
news agency, DNB, quoted the
Paris newspaper Les Nouveaux
yesterday to the effect that Ad-
mlral Darlan was sent to Paris
to get information which in
triguers of Vichy" allegedly had
concealed from the French chief
Of state.
The Paris paper was quoted
as saying the Darlan-Laval in
tervieW marks the turning point
of internal politics" and i'm
proved prospects of France ulti-
mately taking a place worthy
of her dignity in Europe's new
era.)
Following Admiral Darlan's return
to Vichy, informed sources had ex-
pressed belief the only questions
remaining to be settled were the
makeup of a new cabinet and M.
Lavals role in it.
Gen Studt, head of the German
control of war industries. was re-
ported to have been received today
oy the French war ministry The
purpose of his visit was not dis
closed.
He was said to have been met
outside Vichy by a French guard.
which escorted him to the ministry's
offices.