Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 December 1940 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4, 1040

~ Leahy’ Mission to France Most Important of Any.

By WHliAM PHIL no Sos [erent colonies, the largest in Times Foreign Editor. world save those ‘of Britain. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4—Admiral

the | Europe and the 20 republics of Latin America. For that reason if for no

Today, what is going on in any of other, it is said, this country should

William D. Leahy’s mission to these quarters is little known out-|qct as a sort of friendly go-between.

France, i is widely felt here, may |side. Yet such knowledge is highly important to the rest of the world. \gyropean observers in Washington All kthds of rumors are leaking out,|say if, is entirely possible that the

prove to be one of the most impor-

Looking ahead, some of the wisest

tant undertaken by an American most of them unreliable. But if any-|1atin block—France, Italy, Spain,

envoy to that “country since Benja-|body can get at the truth, it is min Franklin's in 1776. : lieved, the Admiral can. France is now divided into four There is occupied France her 456 million people will be of

be- | Portugal, Switzerland and Belgium —-may play an important role in the

When the war is over, France and reconstruction work of Europe. If

the | s0, much depends upon France and,

and unoccupied France. And there utmost importance to the United indirectly, on the United States and is the “Free France” of Gen. de|States, the British commonwealth of |Latin America. Gaulle, and then there are the nations, the smaller democracies ofl And yet seldom it ever have the

INC\Z/ WN

Ameri¢an people so little understood the people of France. The* wildest tales have reached this country and are still current, although time has proved many of them unfounded. It

was said that Marshal Petain had “sold France down the river”; that

he was joining the war on the side

of ‘Hitler; that he had turned the|

French fleet and the French air force over to the Nazis for use against England ‘By one who was Present, I am informed that far from doing any of these things, the 84-year-old hero

Bin

of Verdun instructed France's srmistice emissaries that under no cir-|been the result of a. tragic cumstances were they to agree to surrender either the fleet or the air force. If the Germans insisted, they |B® were to walk out and France would Jeep on fighting, however the Somiese bag become. Similar

hostess

fit. se th. wis in.

= Ci ——

derstanding. h conception of honor, and ful

| Petain, it 1s recognized, is pamy-

-|the World" War left him and to place himself between the heel of

dence is increasingly felt|the conqueror and his prostate tha} as long as the Marshal people. That, it is pointed out, he /at the head of the Vichy has done knowing that he, personaleae 3 he will live up, as best{ly, now and before history, has e can under the armistice, to his|everything to lose and nothing

- |whatever to gain. That there is row an cstrangement between the people of America and the people of France is ad-

tegd of going mitted. It is — feared that ‘this into comfortable, ‘well-earned retire- estrangement may: affect the peace, ment, say in Switwslat he chose land fhrough the ,peace the future,

| Hooy's Since Benjamin F ranklin

ish attack at Oran is said to have|to descend from the pedestal where

of both nations. Yet we have no pal Babin France—and none in England; I or Germany. As Charge d’Affaires in Vichy we have Freeman Matthews, a secs ther

only in a limited piv therefore, there is needed not only one of the best brains America affords but a fully ace. credited envoy of high rank. Ade miral Leahy is regarded as an exe cellent choice.

Tous is your ivitéfion to visit our complétely- “stocked

store just brim full of exquisite Gifts of every price.and every kind. Gifts which you will be proud to give roXoEe Gifts of

Nationally Famous Quality. For over 26 years Kay has Boon

serving America. Kay is a recognized and reliable name which

is your best guarantee of service and satisfaction. YOU CAN BUY WITH CONFIDENCE AT KAYS!

This. Cloristmas GIVE JEWELRY

LLL JTLT {LN