Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-10
Vichy Loyalty
Causes u. S.
Uneasiness
State Department Tries
10 Keep Leahy Envoy
BY PAUL MALLON

WA S HIN G TON, Feb. 10
w Dccp-rooted uneaSineSS lay
behind state UnderSeCrctary
Sumner WcllcS' generalizcd in
quiry about the current state OF
NlChy's loyalties.
Unofficial accounts mentioned
reports that the French fleet
may have been affording some
protection 10 the Axis supply
line 10 Lihya. bat worse rumorS
have been heard here.
The NaziS again are pressing
the French for submarine or Air
bases on the west coast Of
Africa 10 break up our supply
line 10 the Near East and Far
East.
Also there seems 10 be some
question whether the French
feet is not letting more ships
slip into Axis hands.
In fact, the suggestion has
been heard that Nichy has col
lapsed completely at last into
the always extending clutches of
Berlin.
Information about these mat
terS may not be wholly trust
worthy but the state department
has considered the situation Suf-
fiCIcnt1y serious 10 change It's
plans and try 10 keep Admiral
Leahy in France as ambassador.
NICHY loyaltics fluctuate ordi-
' narlly with the battle line in
Llbya.
Whenthe British were driving
on 10 Tripoli a few weeks back.
the French situation was salts
factory, but now that the Brit
iSh are in retreat again, 1t is
developing weak-knees.
The effect on Turkey also is
cause for apprehension in
view of intimationS that HitlerS
spring preparations are being
directed toward the Iran and
Iraq oil fields again.
The question of whether Hit
Ter will try that corner of the
Near East depends on whether
Turkey will fight.
IF Vichy abandons both her
honor and her word. our naval
troubles in the Atlantic would
be doubled a jolt which GER
tainly would shake the Atlantic
Seahoard loose from public war
apathy by increasing possible
ties for bombing our cities.
Those who listened to the
House debate on the Office Of
Civilian Defense hoped enough
movie stars and dancers might
be employed 10 tell the people
what TO do in case Of an air raid.
Since the first unsuccessful
test blaCkout in Washington the
subject has been only vaguely
mentioned. and the test has not
been repeated.
Do YOU know what you are 10
do in case of an air raid?
MISSIONARIES who are storing
' up notions for postwar
Utopia Including Union NowD
had better include in their files
a sharp article from the London !
Of January 5, which just
has reached here.
This old British economic pub
LEGATION is warning Churchill, |
Eden. Russia. America and the
world that changing Britain'S
political and economic structure /
after the war is beyond their /
Approving ChurChill's success
ful mission 10 Washington and .
EdcnS 10 Moscow, the mag
azine remarks:
Mr.. Churchill and Mr.. Eden
are vulnerable To one danger
that in their necessary desire 10
weld the nations closer for war,
they may he committed 10 post
war policies which would be re-
to their people.
III
that either present warmed or
some vague kind Of gratitude 10
those allies who joined Us late
In the battle demands that Brit
aims political or economic struc-
ture shall he changed and
either on that OF
or that OF Russia-if, |
In short. accord threatens to
become federalism OF some kind,
then we may be forgiven for
all concerned that
such possibilities lie outside the
present mandate of any states
man"
The article seems to be hitting I
al the "Union'Now' idea. of post /
war amalgamation Of the United f,
States and Britain A. we'll as
some Of tho fancy suggestions /
about world wage scales and /
living conditions and not with |
out a side glance at socialism, |
il does not mention any /
matter specifically
1 NEW division Wit tho I,
"A omlnouS title Of War Fraud /
Unit is being established IN the /
Justice Department for the COM I
paratively innocent purpose OF ,
helping small manufacturers get /
defense contracts
Tho name was selected 10 ter
rify the small-time chiSelerS who |
have been selling themselves as
defense contract brokers.
Large manufacturers can al
ford 10 hire full-time lawyers 10 |
work up dolonse business. but |