The Pittsburgh Press (August 9, 1941)
VICHY, NEEDLED BY NAZIS, CONSIDERS U.S. RELATIONS
By Ralph Heinzen, United Press staff writer
Vichy, Aug. 9 –
Consultations on matters said to involve “momentous” decisions concerning France’s relations with Germany and the United States were held today.
Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain met with Vice Premier Admiral Jean François Darlan, General Maxime Weygand, pro-consul for Africa, and General Charles Huntziger, War Minister.
A session of the council of ministers was postponed.
General Weygand had flown here from Algiers and Admiral Jean Darlan had returned from a hurried trip to Paris, where he conferred with German military authorities.
All indications were that the meeting concerned the position France took in a note to the United States this week, replying to the warning from United States Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles against letting Germany get a foothold in Africa.
In its reply, France avoided a promise not to let Germany share in the defense of Africa, but she pointed out that the situation in Africa was different from that in French Indochina, where Japan was given a share in its defense.
As far as could be learned, today’s conferees had no intention of ceding any French bases.