FREE FRANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 8

FREE FRANCE

CARRYING ON THE FIGHT. DE GAULLE’S LEADERSHIP. The necessity for strengthening Anglo-French relations was stressed by Cardinal Hinslev, when speaking at a luncheon given in London recently in honour of General de Gaulle, leadei of the Free French movement. The understanding and friendship should be intensified; every obstacle in its way should be removed, and every explanation called for* should be given, the Cardinal declared. In the course of his reply, General de Gaulle outlined the basis of Free French policy, and emphasised that I* ranee, and France alone, would have to decide, when she was in a position to do so, wliat her regime and institutions would be. He said that Free France was in honour bound to fight on as long as England and the Allies continued the struggle. . Cardinal Hinsley described General de Gaulle as an “inspiration to Franco and all who love France and the freedom of her sons,” states “The Universe.” He said: “We are here to-day united to honour France and one of her illustrious sons, General de Gaulle. We honour him as a man, as a soldier, and as a loader; as a man who in the darkest days kept his faith in Franco and in lier future. He stood firm when others faltered. He held aloft the glorious flag of France when others gave up the struggle for her freedom. His courage has stood unmoved against adversity, and to-day his courage is an inspiration to France and all who lovo France and the freedom of hei sons; Foresaw Course of Events. “We honour General de Gaulle as a soldier who foresaw and foretold the military, developments of the future and who warned us of the influence of mechanisation in the battles of these times. The enemy studied and learnt the lesson he taught, better, alas than the defending armies of Europe, but he stood undaunted when the rest, outflanked and out-machined, -withdrew, fell back. As a true knight of unbroken courage lie withstood the onslaught of superior forces and rallied the diminishing remnant of the army to continue the fight which is to he crowned with victory.

“We honour General de Gaulle as the leader of his people. In the darkdays six months ago it needed a farseeing leader to convince his fellowcountrymen and many others that all was not lost, and many were to he convinced that by the help of God victory could still be won, great though the cost plight be.

“As a leader, as a great Christian leader, lie- sought inspiration from, the glorious Christian past of his country. He called on his fellow-countrymen and followers to. rally round the Cross of Xiorraine. That upright cross will stand high aloft when the crooked swastika is in the dust, and the banner of Joan of Arc, the standard of the General's ever-growing force, will wave in triumph over the heights of Montmarte.

“This country honoui’s a brave man. Six months which have elapsed since lie made his decision to fight on to the end have justified, and more than justified, the resolution he took. The' France of to-day is not the France of six months ago. Hope has replaced deep despondency. A French army still faces the foe in France, in Africa, and elsewhere. A man, a soldier and a leader has defended the breach and deserved well of his country, General de Gaulle. ‘Gallia semper fidelis.’ “The importance of the AngloFrench r elationships, understanding, and friendship was never greater than it is to-day. Everything that can be done must be done to strengthen and intensify that understanding, that friendship. Every obstacle in its way should be removed, every explanation called for should be given. “We must look beyond the present. We must look to the future when the storm of war is past, when, with the blessing of God, our hard-won victory over aggressive tyranny shall have paved the way to whole-hearted cooperation and lasting friendship in the days of peace. “General de Gaulle, to you be the honour of a victorious leadership, a victorious defence of your noble country.” General de Gaulle’s Reply. In reply, General de Gaulle said the Free French Movement was based on three elements the conviction that France is not beaten; the feeling that, in a war in Which the fate of France is linked, with that of England and their common Allies, France is in horn our bound to fight on as long as England and the Allies continue the struggle; the refusal to acknowledge as valid the authority of a Government which is constitutionally irregular and is under enemy control, After referring to the fact that France still had her Empire, her navy, her mercantile marine and gold to the amount of 50,000,000 francs, he said: “She is not vanquished, because her soul remains.” Free Frenchmen were careful not to usurp any .powers, he said. They declared that France, and France alone, would have to decide, when she was in a position to do so, what her regime . and her institutions would he. From the day a regular Government independent of the enemy and a true national representation, was reinstated in France, they intended to submit to the legitimate power of those institutions.