WARNING GIVEN TO FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25308, 7 October 1947, Page 7

WARNING GIVEN TO FRANCE

SPEECH BY GENERAL DE GAULLE

DANGERS SEEN WITHIN AND WITHOUT

(NJZ. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 5. General de Gaulle to-day pictured France as “trembling on the brink of a financial and social abyss within and threatened from without by twothirds of Europe directed implacably by the Russian dictatorship.’' Speaking at a mast; meeting at Vincennes, General de Gaulle added that. France, if she remained in a state of crisis, would soon be a plaything for outside competitors while peace lasted, and an invasion target for one side and a bombardment target for the other in case of war. General de Gaulle warned his country against infiltration by Communists. He called Communists ‘separatists” and accused them of fomenting trouble with the idea of causing an explosion for the benefit of their foreign makers. The Soviet dictatorship was gradually pressing towards the West, General de Gaulle added- It was net too late for France to act and find her true strength. tie outlined a programme of constitutional and national unity and emphasised that his organisation was not

a political party, but was ready to welcome any patriotic Frenchman, “The portion of General de Gaulle's speech which received the greatest ovation was that dealing - with Communism and Soviet Russia,” says the Paris correspondent of “The Times." “The Communists.- said General de Gaulle, were constantly working to serve the quarrels of the dictators of the East. The United States was setting its power against Russia, and there is not a free man in the world Who does not think that policy healthy.’ “France, he added, had to take her place at the head of a group of states in western Europe which, although now impoverished, would altogether form an important ’ element in safeguarding liberty. “General de Gaulle, who was liV uniform, had a tumultuous reception. He Jed the crowd in the singing of the Marseillaise.’ ’’ Tacks were strewn along all the roads leading to the Vincennes stadium, where General de Gaulle spoke. Cars and cyclists were held up until mechanical sweepers had cleared the roads. It was then discovered. just before General de Gaulle mounted the platform, that the loudspeaker wires had beep cut. They s ad re Paired before General de Gaqllq could speak to his 200,000 listeners.