Laval Warns French Not to Show Sympathy to Jews; Scores Churchmen

World-wide criticism of the Vichy regime for the merciless deportation of Jews from unoccupied France to Nazi-held territory today provoked an answer from Pierre Laval, Chief of the French Government, who is held responsible for these deportations.

An article in Laval’s newspaper, Le Moniteur, published in Clermont-Ferrand, believed to be written by Laval himself, warns the leaders of the Church in France that their determined opposition to the deportation of the Jews from the country “is only harming the task of France’s recovery undertaken by Marshal Petain.” The same article warns the people of France to abstain from “showing pity” for the Jews.

“As usual,” the article states, “when new measures are taken, certain persons interested in confusing the people’s minds prey on the noble sentiments of the Frenchmen and arouse pity by circulating unverifiable and often exaggerated reports.”

The article then takes the French church leaders to task and declares: “The most striking feature in this case is that some leaders who are responsible for the conduct of men and for the direction of their conscience have allowed themselves to be led by feelings which, though highly honorable, are very dangerous in effect since they excite public emotions and supply our adversaries with ammunition to be used against the French government, against our national revolution, and against our national unity.”

RIOTS REPORTED FROM LYONS; ARRESTS OF RIVIERA JEWS DEMANDED

The British radio today announced that riots have followed the dismissal by Laval of the Military Governor of Lyons for refusing to let his troops aid in the mass-arrests of Jews in his district. Police had to use force to quell the disturbances, the announcement said.

A manifesto demanding the immediate arrest of all British Jews who are still living on the French Riviera “in reprisal for Frenchmen killed by the Royal Air Force bombs” was issued today in Vichy by Doriot’s anti-Semitic party.