GRIM OUTLOOK IN FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23087, 1 August 1940, Page 7

GRIM OUTLOOK IN FRANCE

Facing Winter With .Dread HARVEST FALLS BELOW NEEDS (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received July 31,. 11 p.m.) . LONDON. July 31. The Vichy correspondent ttf the British United Press says France faces the winter with dread in her heart. Crops which are ripening are unattended, and the majority of the farmers have not yet returned from the army. The Germans have rllihed or most of the crops ih northern France, but It is estimated that the harvest will yield only half of France’s requirements. Communications are chaotic. One hundred million letters and packages are awaiting delivery, and telegrams lake five days to cover 100 miles. The newspapers are publishing columns of small advertisements from families seeking news of lost wives, fathers, and children. The Germanisation of Alsace and Lorraine continues. Strasbourg is a- ghost city. Only a few of its 200,000 inhabitants have been allowed to refilrn. but the Germans are rebuilding bridges. Boards are nailed over the broken windows of Jewish shops and synagogues to hide the gutted interiors. All towns in Alsace and Lorraine are bordering on economic exhaustion. French prisoners are being released from Germany to assist in the restoration of agriculture and industry. A Vichy message soys that General Weygand, the new Defence Minister, announced the .demobilisation of tlie French armies in Syria and North Africa. Several ships are being chartered to try to repatriate those in Syria. The Vichy Government has protested to Britain against the detention of Admirals Cayot and Vlliainc, commanders of French ships in British ports when the armistice was signed,