The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-05-14
Economic A..
#9hA~hA
National and International Problems
hseparable from Local Welfare

|
fort to keep the Vichy Government
| from effecting complete collaboration
with Hitler. At the present time, it is
sufficient to say that we did all we
lcOuld, and that we failed through no
fault of our own. There were many
good reasons why those efforts should
have been made, even when it appeared
almost certain that there was no hope
Iof success. First, the American people
| have always regarded France as Il
traditional ally. She has been on our
side ever since the Revolution, and has
laided us in controversies with powers
(which are among our Allies in the
lprcSent war. Second, few nations have
ldone as much as France to advance
the cause of parliamentary government
the French Revolution paved the way
| for many other revOlts against tyran-
my. Third, France is still the posses
Sor of Il siZable naval force-a fact
(which is of the utmost practical i'm
portance at this time.
But this is all water over the dam
now. France is, to all intents and pur-
poses, Il Hitler ally Before this war
is over, we may formally regard her
THAT in the near future we will extend
full diplomatic recognition to De
Gaulle'S Free French Government. The
fact that Ambassador Leahy has been
recalled from Nichy, and an American
consular official has been sent to the
the Free French capital in Africa,
shows definitely the way the wind
blows.
The American people should hold no
lOptmiSm as to the purposes which
I"BIack Peter" Laval has in mind. Long
before the war he was known as the
least Scrupulous of politicians in a
country where corruption was the rule,
not the exception, in governmental cir
'cles. Laval has made up his mind that
his own future is 100 per cent depend
lent upon Il Hitler victory. He has said
publicly that if the United States tri-
Iumph, he will be escorted without cere
Imony to the galloWS He will do every
thing he can 10 help the AXiS-and few
believe that he will worry overmuch if
the Germans continue TO slaughter
helpless French hostages. The French
men the Germans aSSaSSinate are those
who would most actively fight Laval
IF they were free, and 50 it is likely
that he is glad to see them put out
IOf the way.
Just what has Hitler gained by
forcing into office Il French govern
Iment which has abandoned almost all
prctcnSc of independence, and which
lis an cvoWcd and enthusiastic support
Ter of the New Order" in Europe?
In answering this, The French fleet
comes first to mind. 1t the Germans
can obtain control of that fleet, the
naval balance of the world will be
changed. Some believe that
Admiral Daram may hesitate TO give
iSh rs he is, he also knows that his
own position depends upon keeping at
last nominal command of the French
navy. II puts him in IN excellent bar
gaining position. Still, in the long run,
the best bet is that Hitler will get
the fleet if he wants il badly enough.
France possesses numerous colonies
which would be Of utmost service to
the AXIS. American troops are now in
New Caledonia, which lies across the
Amcricau-Australian supply line and
must be kept out of German hands at
all costs. Madagascar and Dakar are
equally vital. 1t would surprise few
experts if there are actual military
United Nations forces over these key
points.
French industry and agriculture will
now SerN" the Reich um an ;ll-out basis.
That means that Frcmchmcn will CON
tinue lo StarNc and 90 without in th"
interest of feeding and supplying Hit
Ter. BrilHin'S sustained air raids over
French industrial areas, however, may
substantially lessen Frances usefulness
to her conuucrcr
There is one very important fact to
be listed on The debit side, 50 far as
Hitler and Laval are concerned Ac-
close to ninety per cent of Fronclmcn
hate Germany and Nichy with equal
passion. Tn" underground anti-aXiS
movement in France is strong and we'll
and il crows Sir,nwpr Subn-