The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-29
By G. HERBERT SALLANS

Montreal, May 29-(UP)-Prime Minister Churchill and Marshall Petain arrived at a secret agreement in 1940 and adhered it until Petain became a prisoner, a book published here by Louis Rougier, French pro- lessor, said today.
 Rougier said the secret negotia- tions, carried out without the knowl- edge of Pierre Laval, prevented France from joining the Axis and the French fleet falling into Ger man hands. The author claimed to have acted as an intermediary.
 The volume, entitled ''The accords between Petain and Churchill' and bearing the imprimatur of Canadian censorship, appeared on book stands today.
 It said although the agreement was never incorporated into for nal treaty, its stipulations were loy- ally observed by both sides until the Germans abrogated the Fran co-German armistice when the AL lies landed in North Africa and Pe- tain's status became that of a pri- Soner
 The book reproduces photostatic copies of telegrams, letters and the final memorandum on accord al- legedly reached between the author, whom Petain had accepted as inter- mediary, and Churchill.
 cbo,uc nnSron = tions of the typewriter French text inserted in English in longhand by the Prime Minister.
 According to the author the Brit ish attack on the French fleet on July 3, 1940, followed a misunder- standing of the Franco-German armistice of June, 1940.
 Rougier said Gen. Charles De- Gaulle reported to the British that the fleet would fall under German control under the armistice. Laval, the author states, saw in the British action chance to force Petain to declare war on the British and aligng France with the Axis.
 Rougier claims to have established contact with Lionel Robbins, econ- omist and counselor of the ministry of economic welfare, through the British consul general in Geneva and relates that Robbins suggested that he proceed to London for con- versations. Rougier approached Pe- tain, who agreed to Rougier's mis- sion, giving him hand written note of introduction.
 Arriving in London on October g, 1940, Rougier said he was inn mediately taken to Sir Alexander Cadogan, permanent undersecretary at the foreign office. as first con- dition, Cadogan informed Rougier Churchill had stipulated that he would see Rougier only if he did not establish any contact with the De Gaullists. Rougier said any hopes he had of also bringing Pe- tain and De Gaulle closer together faded, but since more was at stake, he agreed.
 The next day he said he had an interview with Lord Halifax, now British ambassador in Washington who at the time was secretary of foreign affairs. The next day Rougier had his first meeting with Churchill.
 Later William Strang, counsellor of the foreign office, asked Rougier to draw up a memorandum to sub- init to Churchill, the book claims 1 Strang told the author this memor- andum would then be regarded as a gentleman's agreement, Rougier said.
 The memorandum was drawn up and typed and taken to Number 10 Downing Street.
 The main points of this agree ment were, according to the book
 A Permission for French ship ping to resume trade between France and North Africa.
 B The dispatch to Madrid oi a British economic expert to con- fer with French economic expert regarding possible reestablishment of trade with Morocco.
 co The British government