FRANCE: PÉTAIN V. THE CONQUEROR

The Government of Germany learned last week what the people of France have gradually learned since the Armistice of June 22: that France's Chief of State is no stooge of Adolf Hitler, of Pierre Laval, or of anybody else. Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain is old, crotchety, painstaking, slow. He is also honorable, patriotic and, when he takes the advice of a few trusted friends, often a clever political tactician. Last week his political tactics seemed about to get France into big, bad trouble with her conquerors.

To Vichy, after the dismissal fortnight ago...

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