Evening star., 1945-08-09
vichy '6estapo Chief
Says Petain Sco|ded
Him Only One Time
~ the Associated Press.


~ the Associated Press.
PARIS, Aug. 9.--Joseph Darnand,
former head of the Gestapo-like
vichy militia and once known as the
Himmler of France, testified on the
10th day of the Petain trial today
that the aged marshal reproached
him only once.
That scolding, Darnand testified,
was "in letter written when the
Americans reached Rennes" in their
bash into Brittany for the circling
smash to Paris.
Darnand said his appointment as
secretary general in charge of main
tanning order throughout Vichy
France came from the Petain gov
ernment.
A little earlier, Fernand de Bri-
non, former Vichy representative
to the German occupation forces,
testified that 1.-The marshal never
believed France owed anything to
Britain, but he thought we were
indebted to America and often said
he would like to bring America and
Germany into closer relation"
Both Vichy ministers were called
as court witnesses after Prosecutor
Andre Mornet told the jury Il con-
slider De Brinon a vile man and
Darnand as a murderer" Darnand's
Gestspo-like militia was scourge of
the French underground
A witness testified that Petain re-
sisted efforts of several Vichy min
listers to ask German help in repeil-
ing the Allied landing in North
Africa.
The witness, Maj Edouard Arch
ambeaud, said Petain sent two tele-
grams to North Africa, one ordering
continued resistance, and the other
ordering cessation of hostilities.
Admiral Jean Darlan, then Pc
tain's right hand man but soon to
become a collaboration with the
Allies in Algiers, sent American
armistice terms to Petain on Novem-
Der 10, recommending their ac-
ceptance, the witness swore. He
said Germany violently opposed the
armistice between France and the
Allies.
The witness testified that as re-
suit, Petain published a telegram to
Darlan disavowing him and ordering
him to continue the battles. At the
same time, the major said Petain
sent secret message to Darlan sup
porting Darlan's recommendations.
In cross examining Archambeaud.
Judge Paul Mongibeaux expressed
doubt about the messages to North
Africa. saying they never were
made public,
Archambeaud said that by 1912
it was virtually impossible to move
the French fleet from Toulon be-
cause it had been anchored for two
years without overhauling.
Rene Norguet, former secretary
general for industrial production in
the Vichy government, said Petain
encouraged him and thousands of
Frenchmen to prevent the Germans
from stripping France of ma
ehinery and raw materials. He said
large stores of copper, other metals
and gasoline were hidden, and that
many Frenchmen lost their lives
in the undertaking.
De Brinon testified he believed
In the principle of cancellation with
the Germans" He denied that the
policy of a double game was pur-
sued by Petain."
The Germans decided every
thing" he said. They paid no at
tention to French authority or any
French protest. Perhaps some
things were done behind the facade
of collaboration, but these were
mainly for the restoration OF
France"
He said Petain was very salts
fed" with his meeting with Hitler
at Montoire. He said the marshal
asked permission to visit prison
camps where French troops were
held and also asked for liberation OF
Gen. Laure. personal friend.
When the judge read a telegram
which the prosecution asserts Petain
sent to Hitler, congratulating the
Germans on repulsing the Cana
dams at Dieppe, de Brinon said:
Il know nothing about a cable
from Petain. From Laval, I had
orders to send a telegram of con-
gratulations. The message was sent
and delivered Certainly it was au-
thentic, but whether Petain himself.
signed it, I do not know"
After Laval was arrested Decem-
Der 13, 1910, De Brinon said Petain
instructed him to notify the Ger
mans that the arrest meant moth
ing in relations between France and
Germany. However. Otto Abetz,
Germs Representative in Paris, was
quoted as replying:
'Laval's departure means that the
guarantee of amicable relations be-
tween us has been removed"
De Brinon testified
Il believe Petain agreed COM
pletely with Laval's policy of COL
laboration. but it was in order to
improve conditions for the French
people