The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-02

IHnch-GerInan relations assumed great importance. Vichy dispatches described Franco-G German negotia- tons as at a standstill and reported evidences of Nad dlspleasure at the attitude of the French. Vichy said E1at the Germans are pre-occupied with preparations for a great attack on Britain but did not indicate whether the NaZis expected to util- 1zs Wrench collaboration" in this offensive.
 Marshal Henri Philippe Petain is believed to be adamant against use of French Mediterranean bases or the French fleet to increase Axis pressure on Britain and this may be the striking point of the negotia- tions. There is some evidence that the French attitude may be stiffen- cd by the imminent arrival of the new U. S. ambassador to Vichy, Ad- miral William E. Leahy, due in day or two.
 Rome Story Of Aid
 Rome, Jan. 2 - (UP0 - Ger many is sending air squadrons to Italy and several hundred Fascist Warplanes are being rushed home from bases at the English Channel, it was revealed today, in order to bolster Italian air strength in AL bania and North Africa and attack British supply lines and sea power in the Mediterranean
 Announcement of the move was made by General Francesca Pricolo, Italian undersecretry for air, who said the Nazi planes, would come to Italy for duty in the Mediterranean basin.
 Well-informed sources said the German achievements would be complete with ground crews, machine shops and repair facilities but that they would operate under Italian high command.
 These sources said that the Ger man squadrons were expected to be used against British sea power in the Mediterranean and the routes by which material and supplies are conveyed eastward from Gibraltar to British forces in North Africa and Anglo Greek forces in Greece and Albania.
 The German planes also may op- crate in North Africa and Albania, is was said, but those theaters are the destination of the several hum dred Italian planes being brought back from Channel bases where they have cooperated with the Luft- waffle in the attack on Britain.
 Praises Italian Air Force
 Coincident with the Pricolo an- nouncement Field Marshal Albert Eesselring, Nazi commander direct ing the air attack on Britain, eulo- gized the Italian air force and an- nounced special decoration known as the 1Olderchild" would be con- fsrred on all Italian aviators who have participated in the attack on Britain.
 Pricolo,s order of the day, as rublished by the Stefani official Italian news agency, revealed that only veteran air units were being sent Co Italy by Germany.
 Tho order of the day indicated that the transfer of German air units is already under way.
 Pricolo announced also that the Italian air corps which for several weeks has been stationed on the Erenuh coast of the English Chan 1el to aid in Germany's aerial att xacks on the British Isles, would re- turn to Italy.
 Only one group of Italian chasers VIII remain on the English Channel coast, Pricolo said.
 It was presumed that the German diers would fight the British in- vaderS of Libya and the British Mediterranean fleet. But Pricolo's xeference to the Mediterranean basin, could include the Adriatic sea and Albania.