Evening star., 1942-11-19
Full Military Alliance
With Nazis Seen From
Lava|'s New Powers
Germany Also Will Get
a Ships at TouIon,
Fighting French Predict
BY the Associated Press.

LONDON, Nov. 19.-Fighting
French sources today forecast a
full military alliance between
Germany and Vichy France,
granting the Axis the use of the
81 ships in the fleet at Toulon as
one possible outcome of Pierre
Laval's new dictatorial powers.
Such an alliance, if it develops,
probably would follow peace
treaty between Germany and France
releasing more than 100000 French
prisoners who likely would be re-
called into French armed services,
these sources suggested.
Backed by German bayonets, Laval
held powers of life and death over
the people of unhappy France to-
day through Vichy governments
latest gesture toward the NaI con-
querors.
1t was disclosed last night that
Marshal Petain at a Tuesday cab
met meeting designated the swart
little Germanophile his heir as
chief of state and gave him full
powers to write his own laws and
DEGREES
British Call Move Logical"
The Paris radio said Laval would
transfer the government to Paris.
The announcer quoted a statement
by Marcel Deaf, collaborationist
publisher, saying:
"Vichy has become a symbol of
all that is rotten. The government
must be stripped of the barely
camoufaged De Gaullism which
reigned in Vichy two years."
British political observers were
quick to declare that extended pow
ers for Laval-whose fortunes and
very life are pinned to his often
affirmed belief in an ultimate Axis
triumph-were a logical develop
ment." They said it showed def
nitely that octogenarian Marshal
Petain lis completely in the hands
of the Germans and they put
Laval in"
Lavars Course Draws Speculation.
In the official Vichy announcement
the 86-year old Marshal praised
Laval for patriotism and fore
sight," explained that the chief of
government was being given ex-
tended power so that he may
speedily deal at any hour and in
all places" with Frances problems.
Petain informed France:
I'VE, Marshal of France and Chief
of State by virtue of the constitu-
tional law of July 10, 1910, decree
that the head of government NavaD
outside of constitutional laws has
the power on his simple signature
to make laws and issue DEGREES"
Canceling previous decree which
had designated Admiral Jean Dar-
Ian, now cooperating with the
Allies in Africa, as his successor,
Marshal Petain named Laval to
take over as Chief of State in the
event of the marshal's permanent
incapacity. He directed that with
in a month of such event the cabi-
net should meet to choose a per-
manent successor.
A Vichy communique on the ac-
ton, as reported by the Berlin radio.
said that Marshal Petain "as Chief
of State will continue to represent
French sovereignty and the con-
tinued existence of the country" and
added that Laval would keep the
marshal constantly informed" of his
endeavors.
OF most immediate concern to the
Allies was the course Laval plans
to steer in the matter of possible
military aid to the Axis.
Thus far he and Marshal Petain
have not needed the demands of the
radically pro-German party of
Jacques Doriot that France declare
war at once on the United States
and Great Britain because of their
occupation of French North Africa.
There have been unconfirmed re-
ports that Laval already has been
(see LAVAL, Page A-2oJ