VICHY TRAITORS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 122, 26 May 1941, Page 7

VICHY TRAITORS

PETAIN AS SCREEN No Legal Right To Speak For France LONDON, May 25. In reply to Admiral Darlan's broadcast, a statement has been issued by General de Gaulle from his headquarters "on behalf of the French people, of whom we are the true representatives." In the course of the statement, General de Gaulle said: "British public opinion should avoid confusing the French nation with the traitors of Vichy. The Vichy Government was never legally or freely elected by France, and it has, therefore, no right to speak in France's name, or make any promises regarding her future.

"At this crucial point in French history, it must be remembered that, in a moment of utter confusion provoked by what seemed to be a crushing military defeat, a small "■roup of fifth columnists seized power and from that moment, with the help of the German conquerors, successfully prevented France from expressing her views or supporting her Allies. They used the onceglorious name of Marshal Petain as a screen behind which to hide their own unavowable aims from the clear-seeing eyes of the French people. "Admiral Darlan's speech throws no light on what engagements fie has undertaken at Berchtesgaden on behalf of the French people. It can be clearly proved that the French people do not-want war with Britain, do not want action by the French Fleet- do not want the interference !of Germany in the affairs 91 the French Empire. Darlan tried to reassure French public opinion on these main points. He did not dare sav more than he did because he knew French public opinion does not want, and does not understand, either active or passive co-operation with the enemy. . "We feel confident," General de Gaulle concluded, "that the French i people, if they were free to follow their own will, would immediately rid themselves of the Vichy traitors. We consider the Vichy Government to be no more than Hitler's puppet— 'Hitler's gauleiter for France. We ! would therefore approve any action bv the British Government which would frustrate the plans of these French Quislings."