Show ECONOMIC highlights industrial news review the historians of the future will write in full detail the long and involved story of this governments effort to keep the vichy government from effecting complete collaboration lab oration with hitler at the present time it is sufficient c i t to say that we did all we could 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 of success firsts first the american people have always regarded france as a traditional ally she has been on our side ever since the revolution and has aided us in controversies with powers which are among our allies in the present war second few nations have done as much as france to advance the cause of parliamentary government the french revolution paved the way for many other revolts against tyranny third france is still the possessor of a sizable naval force a fact which is of the utmost practical importance at this time but that is all water over the dam now france is to all intents and purposes a hitler ally before this war is over we may formally regard her as an enemy it is extremely likely that in the near future we will extend full diplomatic recognition to de gaelles Ga ulles free french government the fact that ambassador leahy has been recalled from vichy and an american consular official has been sent to the free french capital in africa shows definitely the wa way the wind blows the american people should hold no optimism as to the purposes seb which black 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 cep tion in governmental circles laval has made up his mind that his own future is per cent dependent upon a hitler victory he has said publicly that if the united nations triumph he will be escorted without ceremony to the gallows he will do everything he can to help the axis and few believe that he will worry overmuch if the germans continue to slaughter helpless french hostages the frenchmen the germans assassa assassinate are those who would actively fight laval if they were free and so it is likely that he is glad to see them put out of the way just what has hitler gained by forcing into office a french government which has abandoned almost all pretense of independence and which is an evoked and enthusiastic thusia supporter of the new order in europe in answering this the french fleet canies conies comes first to mind if the germans can obtain control of the fleet the naval balance of the world win will be dangerously changed some believe that admiral darlan may hesitate to give hitler everything he wants anti british as he is he also knows that his own position depends upon keeping at least nominal command of the french navy it puts him in an excellent bargaining position still in the long run the best bet is is that hitler will get the fleet if he wants it 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 american australian supply line and must be kept out of german hands at au all costs madagascar and dakar are equally vital it would surprise few experts if there are actual military engagements between vichy forces and united nations forces over these key points french industry and agriculture will now serve the reich on an an all out basis that means that frenchmen will continue to starve and go without in the interest of feeding and supplying hitler bri cairis sustained air raids over french industrial areas however may substantially lessen frances useful usefulness neis to her conqueror good tooth repair A new amalgam has been perfected tor for tooth repair which dentists claim will bring good dentistry into the home of the man ot of moderate means |