National Neurosis

Resistance bubbled up like a ferment within conquered France--and was met by a wave of hysterical repression. The Paris radio admitted some 4,000 arrests within 15 days. Swiss observers at the border saw French guerrilla fighters gunning it out with regular German troops. There was sabotage as usual.

Radio Commentator Jacques Bartaud moaned: "A wave of depression is sweeping France [causing] a very grave national neurosis. From this state of mind to Gaullism is only one step."

Vichy Nerves. Conflicting reports from Vichy merged into a confused, half-focused picture of a "capital" in a state of nervous bewilderment, heavily infested by German troops and French mobile guards. Political cliques slid madly about, trying to make "arrangements" with Marshal Petain, with Pierre Laval, with the Germans, with the Allies, with each other.

Old Marshal Petain, who had been keeping to himself since the Germans banned his radio proclamation of Vichy "democracy" (TIME, Nov. 29), broadcast a feeble plea for internal order last week. From a well-placed Vichy source came a circumstantial account of Petain's latest mixup with the Nazis.

Nazi Demands.

According to this account, German Ambassador Otto Abetz had traveled to Vichy, ready to lay down the law with a six-page letter in Joachim von Ribbentrop's most violent vein. The message accused Petain of "departing from the policy agreed on at Montoire," and made three main demands:

1) reshuffle the French Government to take in more pro-Nazi collaborationists;

2) replace high Vichy officials with men capable of controlling the population;

3) restore and maintain internal order.

Petain made one concession, agreeing to end his governmental "sitdown strike" and resume his functions as Chief of State. Even then he insisted that this would be merely nominal. He added:

"All responsibility automatically and fully falls upon Laval, who henceforth is solely responsible toward France and Germany."

All of which, if true, would justify two conclusions:

-- Marshal Petain is convinced that Germany has lost the war.

--Pierre Laval, having served with distinction as No. 1 Nazi puppet, has now been officially nominated for No. 1 French scapegoat.

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