NEWS OF THE WEEK
DEVELOPMENTS in France inspire nothing but mis- giving and depression. Members of the Petain Govern- ment are vying with each other in their enthusiasm for capitulation, the only difference between them being as to whether France is to find her future as a satellite of Germany or of Italy. M. Laval, who is the chief political figure in the administration—for whatever Marshal Petain may be he is not that—is, of course, traditionally pro-Italian, and he must be suppo'sed to be the originator of the idea of a Latin bloc com- prising Spain, Italy and France. That, however, is dropping into the background. Germany is recognised as the controlling factor, and the Petain Government is clearly ready to act as Herr Hitler desires. Under either plan, manifestly, a democratic France would be an impossible anomaly, and it is only a part of the whole process which has wrought France's calamitous disin- tegration in the past fortnight that the Senate and the Chamber, or more probably a packed remnant of them, are to be asked next week to adopt a new constitution "under the high authority of Marshal Petain " to take the necessary measures for France's recovery. France, in other words, is to go totali- tarian. Meanwhile, the greatest soldiers of France have been speeding east and south, General Weygand to Syria, General Gouraud to Morocco, to ensure that the surrender of France's Empire shall be as complete as the surrender of France itself. How far they have succeeded is not yet clear. None of this, of course, can last. France has not lost her soul in a week. She is shattered and dazed, but she remains, and will remain, France. In every way possible Britain must work for her resurrection.
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