HITLER'S PLANS FOR FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23223, 9 January 1941, Page 8

HITLER'S PLANS FOR FRANCE

ENSLAVEMENT OF PEOPLE BRITISH LEAFLET WARNS WORKERS A picture of shut factory gates, bearing a notice in French: “Closed. Business transferred to Germany,” heads a leaflet addressed to French workers—one of thousands recently dropped over France by aero*planes of the Royal Air Force. The leaflet explains the aims of Hitler to reduce France to a predominantly' agricultural country, and to enslave the French people. It appeals to the workers of France not to lose heart, taut to be confident that the strength of Britain and the forces of Free France and their allies will destroy Hitler’s tyranny.

A translation of the leaflet is as follows:

“Workers of France —This is the future your German masters have in store for you: "You have been told lime and again that France lost the war because you did not work hard enough. The banker Baudouin, who spreads these ideas in the Government at Vichy, appears to have forgotten that you accepted spontaneously an 'extension of the working week from 40 hours to 60 or more us soon as you knew the safely of your country was at stake. He has forgotten also that you would have accepted many other efforts, to increase production so that you might preserve your own freedom and the freedom o’ France. "The Vichy Government now tells you that the industrial production ot France must be reduced. This means that the same men who yesterday accused you of failing to put forth an adequate effort, to-day wish to destroy your occupation and relegate you to thp Jand. “The Vichy Government talks to you in this fashion of reforms and of national reconstruction. Actually the reforms'brought about in France in the last. 1.00 years have been achieved in large measure by your own organisations. Now, in the name of ‘a new order,’ preparations are being made to suppress those organisations .and to deprive you of your rights. Hiller As Master “It matters very little whether these reforms are demanded by the Vichy Government, by Paris newspapers, or by the radio, whether they are signed with the name of Belin, Abetz, or Doriot—the truth is that in every case t|xe orders come from Hitler. “It is Hitler’s purpose: “(1) To transform France into an agricultural country, as she was in the Middle Ages. To this end he would destroy the industrial structure of the country, so that France would be compelled to buy German goods. While that was happening, you would lose the benefit of your years of apprenticeship and of your skill at your trade. Your standard of living will be lowered. Workers’ organisations will be'destroyed. You will no longer be able to choose your trade: Hitler will choose it for you. “(2) Hitler will allow only a small number of French industries to continue. A few hundred thousand workers may find employment in those industries. But their living conditions will be systematically kept below those of German workers. Instead of your unions, there will be, as in Germany, a ‘Labour Front,’ which will exact absolute obedience from you, and which will make slaves of you. Any revolt against it will be punished with the concentration camp. “(3) Hitler needs arms. Accordingly, he will keep going for the time being certain French industries which will. be engaged in war work, Think twice before you lake employment in these, factories. They are working to prolong the, war. to bring about a Nazi victory. Day. after day these factories will be subjected to the bombing raids of British aircraft. Do you want to risk your lives to help Hitler? Slavery Will Not Endure “Their aim is to enslave the French worker—in the same way as the workers of Austria, of Czechoslovakia, of Poland, of Belgium, and of Holland have been enslaved. As their share the Germans keep the profits of industry, comfort, and the means of domination. Your, lot is to‘ be misery, interminable working houi’S, and lack of food.

“Workers of France, this dream of Hitler’s will not come true, for in your blood you have the taste of freedom. The peoples of Europe will not always put up with a state of slavery, and France, the country of the Revolution, will put up with it for a shorter time than most.

“We know you will not give yourselves up to despair—now less than ever. Already the enemy, baffled by the failure of his plans for the invasion of England, shows signs of concern. He sees the hour of punishment draw near.

“Workers of France, you can help to bring that hour nearer. You are not alone. A whole series of other European peoples, for the time being enslaved by the same tyrant, share the same sufferings as you do. But they also share your bitterness,' your love of freedom, and your determination to shake off the yoke.

“The British armies and the forces of Free France stand ready, ’and beside them are those of other allies. You can rely on them. They-are fighting to free you and all the oppressed peoples of Europe. They will know no peace and no rest until this tyranny of Hitler’s which reduces you to slavery has been destroyed. Be confident. “Victory is neai’er than you think.”