FRENCH SUPPRESSED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 11, 14 January 1943, Page 5

FRENCH SUPPRESSED

Germans Completely Take Over City Of Tunis INTERNEES IN ALGIERS Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 13. Reuters Istanbul correspondent reports that the Germans have completely suppressed the French Administration in the city of Tunis. They have sealed all buildings, the military has taken over all authority and has refused permission to French residents to leave for France. It is announced in Algiers that a joint commission to consider cases of political prisoners and refugees has been established. It consists of four Americans, one French and one British representative. They visit camps, investigate the reasons for detention and make recommendations to the French authorities. An unknown number of political prisoners have been detained since the days of the Vichy administration, and delay in the appointment of a commission has been the principal cause of bewilderment and dismay among the Republican and de Gaullist elements. Those detained include Poles, Czechs, Belgians and other refugees from the Germans. EXPLOIT PRAISED DE GAULLE ON CHAD FORCE British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. RUGBY, Jan. 13. The recent achievements of the French troops from Chad were mentioned in a broadcast by General de Gaulle, who said that the military epic of General Le Clerc and his companions constituted an exploit which was not less than the finest in French history. The flame which inspired these men, said General de Gaulle, was quickened by the same inspiration which would one day arise from all the land of France, as

well as from all over martyred Europe, to bring about the vengeance of the nation and. victory to the motherland. ALLIED INVESTIGATION \ British Official Wireless Rec. noon. RUGBY, January 13. A joint commission on political prisoners and refugees in French North and West Africa has been appointed, consisting of American, British and French representatives, according to an agency correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Algiers. The commission will be able to visit places containing, or suspected of containing, persons interned for political reasons and report on the names of the persons and camps and the evidence on which their detention has been ordered. The commission will be able to urged that prompt measures be taken for the release of such persons as are recommended. RAID CASUALTIES LONDON, Jan.. 13., Civilian air raid casualties in Britain during December totalled 109 kil ed or mfssing, believed -killed, and 201 iniured. Women make up more than half the total. It also includes 3S children.