UNITING FRENCH EMPIRE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23940, 6 May 1943, Page 5

UNITING FRENCH EMPIRE

MEETING IN ALGIERS PROPOSED STATEMENT BY GENERAL DE GAULLE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. General de Gaulle, speaking in London, declared himself ready to meet General Giraud in Algiers as soon as possible, in a conference of delegates rather than in a meeting between two leaders. He said he had answered General Giraud’s invitation to that effect. General de Gaulle repeated that Algiers was the only possible place for such a meeting. "I cannot risk tete-a-tete discussions of decisions which will decide -the French empire’s future and France’s destiny,” he said. "The agreements and consultations necessary to establish a central Power must take place in Algiers, which is the French empire’s .capital.” The “Daily Telegraph” says that although he avoided using the word “government,” General de Gaulle made it clear that he and his supporters counted on establishing in Algiers something in the nature of a provisional government representing all French interests. General de Gaulle claimed that “captive France” was prepared to approve of such a body, pending France’s election of a government in the strict sense of the word. General de Gaulle said: “There are at present only two idealisms among the French —Lorraine, for almost all, and the old Marshal for some. An attempt to impose authority which came neither from Vichy nor Fighting France could not succeed. ’ Mentioning the official exclusion of Fighting France from the Allied invasion of North Africa, General de Gaulle said: “I unhesitatingly admit that this may have been justified at the start for reasons of expediency. First an attempt was made to impose French authority in North Africa which was independent of Vichy and of Fighting France. This attempt, as we foresaw, could not succeed. There was then an astonishing state of affairs where a central authority based on neither Vichy nor Fighting France took contradictory measures, so that satisfactory orders and decrees were passed, but through some mysterious influence failed to be applied. “The French National Committee wishes for the Empire's unity, but this is conceivable only If there is a strong authority responsible to the nation. The national will is appearing more clearly in North Africa. Everything has been prepared to ensure that the Empire’s unity may shortly be an accomplished fact. It only remains to consecrate that unity and render it fruitful by publicly installing in Algiers the homogeneous, strong, popular authority which alone can direct our effort.” The Algiers radio says that General Giraud considers that direct conversations with General de Gaulle should seal a complete understanding between them.

AMERICANS RAID ANTWERP

HEAVY BOMBERS IN ACTION

INDUSTRIAL TARGETS ATTACKED LONDON, May 4. Heavy bombers of the United States Army Bth Air Force late this afternoon attacked important industrial targets at Antwerp. The weather over the target was clear, and good results were obtained. There was some fighter opposition, and a number of the enemy were destroyed by bombers. American, Do* minion, and Allied fighters, three of which are missing, covered the bombers. The fighters had several combats, destroying two enemy aircraft. All the bombers returned. Fighter Command Spitfires and Typhoons escorted Venturas of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in an attack on the Abbeville marshalling yards. Altogether five enemy fighters were shot ‘down and several more “probables.” A Norwegian squadron, celebrating its first anniversary in Fighter Command, shot down three and damaged others of a formation of six Focke Wulfs off the south coast. Another Fccke Wulf was destroyed by a New Zealander leading a _ Spitfire wing. Altogether four British fighters are missing. Enemy Losses

The Air Ministry states that soon after midday on Tuesday Bomber Command Mosquitoes, without loss, attacked an electric power station at The Hague. This evening Venturas, escorted by fighters, bombed the railway yards at Abbeville. Three enemy fighters were destroyed, and one British machine is missing. Two aircraft of Coastal Command are missing ■'rom a shipping reconnaissance off the coast of Norway today. ~ , The effect of the Allied raids on Europe is being increasingly felt throughout Germany and Axis-occu-pied territory, and reports suggest that it affects most the soldiers home on leave, who are shocked at the conditions of their local towns and are more prone to criticise the regime openly, states a British Official Wireless message. , . , , ~ In a letter found on his body a German soldier killed on the Russian front refers to a bad raid. “It was an inferno,’’ he stated. “Bomb followed bomb, streams of phosphorus flowed from above, and incendiaries fell without interruption. It is a miracle that we are still alive. Our district is completely in ruins, and only the western parts of Essen remain standing. We are all completely worn out. I shall not be able to stick it. The approach of darkness always makes us shiver in anticipation of air raids.” Damage in Berlin

Thousands of such dispirited letters have been found by the Allies. One from Berlin stated: “If you take a tram ride to the Wilmersdorf you could imagine yourself in Stalingrad, such is the extent of the damage.”

There is a growing disinclination in some areas to resort to cellars during raids because so many occupants have been drowned by bursting pipes. The authorities are perturbed by the breaking down in the civilian administration which followed the most severe attacks such as those on Essen and Nurcmburg. In both places the problems of relief, alternative accommodation, and food supplies have only been solved in a makeshift way. A recent British survey shows that aerial attacks against Germany are being maintained and even increased.