FRENCH ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 7

FRENCH ELECTIONS

Substantial Gains By Left

LONDON, September 23.

Early results of the elections in France indicate that substantial gains have been made by the Socialist and Communist Parties. Four of General de Gaulle’s Ministers have been elected. In many districts the voting was indecisive, and there will be a second ballot next Sunday. Broadcasting on the eve of the elections, General de Gaulle said: “France, after 30 years of war, must make sure she gets her just deserts. We must establish national and international agreement to see that France is allowed to lead Indo-China to liberty and prosperity.” General de Gaulle warned that, though much had been accomplished since the liberation, the industrial output of France was still below half the pre-war volume. D.G.E.R. Organization. There has been a good deal of discussion in France of an organization known by the initials, “D.G.E.R.” —in English the “Directorate-General of Studies and Research.” General de Gaulle has issued an explanation and defence of its activities, declaring that its sole task is to organize a counter-espionage service acting exclusively outside the frontiers of France. A correspondent vays the activities of D.G.E.R. have been causing public concern. French newspapers have reported several cases in which members of the organization are alleged to have been involved in crimes ranging from murder to gold smuggling. General de Gaulle bus admitted that some disturbances have occasionally arisen within the organization, but he claims they arc infinitely small. The correspondent declares thnt, in spite of the statement, many Frenchmen are not satisfied that D.G.E.R. does not entirely refrain from secret activities inside France. D.G.E.R. began its life in London in 1940 at General de Gaulle’s headquarters and did a good job of espionage and organizing resistance in Franco.