The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1941. THE FRENCH TRAGEDY.

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 6

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1941. THE FRENCH TRAGEDY.

Lack of cohesion and of internal harmony was largely responsible for the downfall of France. Domestic problems were placed before -considerations of national safety, and when the great test came the defences of the country were not equal to the call. As a consequence France has reaped a bitter harvest, and the pride of the people is wounded by the spectacle of their hated foes overrunning the country. As was the case in the other conquered territories, the invaders seized vast quantities of food and other commodities, and the privations of the masses are acute. In this connection a bitter cry has come from Vichy, Admiral 'Darlan having issued a threat to convoy- food ships if Britain continued to seize and sink them. The Admiral remarked that he was responsible for feeding 40,000,000 people in France—practically the whole of the population of the country—and by a ■curious distortion of the facts declared that the Germans had proved more generous than the British. Everyone deplores the fate of the unfortunate French people, and Britain would be glad to help them, but Mr Churchill’s Government knows only too well that if quantities of food were allowed to pass the blockade it would bo the Germans who would receive the greatest benefit from them. Admiral Darlan is reported to have said that the blockade does not harm Germany, touching only peoples not participating in the war.

This statement is in flat contradiction to the evidence that is available. Germany is feeling the pinch severely, with the result that the population is on short commons in the matter of food, coal, and clothing, and there is great difficulty in securing many of the commodities essential for war purposes. That is the effect of the blockade. It is in the midst of these hardships, which, it is said, have already made Germany a laud without laughter and are leading to emotional and physical exhaustion, that tho Germans have been struck by a now and wholly unlookedfor development—the British air raids over German territory. They had been assured by Goering that the superiority of tho Luftwaffe would effectively prevent such happenings. It has been a rude awakening. The British bombers keep crossing over nearly every day and night, blasting German factories, harbours, and other military objectives, and sending shivering populations into the cold air raid shelters. A lengthy survey of the German morale has been given in the 1 New York Times Magazine ’ by Mr Otto D. Toiischus, who was Berlin correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ till May of 1940, when he was expelled by the Nazis, and is the author of a notable book, ‘ They Wanted War.’ Among his conclusions is one that the hardships of the air raids, and the prospects of a long war with diminishing chances of victory are already producing significant results in Germany.

According to Mr Tolisehus, these developments manifest themselves not only in increased grumbling, but also in direct sabotage, and, above all, in a kind of passive resistance through loitering 'and malingering, which is cutting down production. German workers have been conscripted for war duty and stand virtually under martial law, but even the Nazis find it difficult to cope with this kind of opposition. There seems to be no doubt that the German leaders are beset with difficulties on all sides. Intrigue is one of their chief

'weapons, and no doubt they will continue their efforts to bring the Vichy Government on their side. It is stated that Germany takes about two-thirds of all the foods imported into unoccupied ■Franco. That fact alono shows the necessity of maintaining the blockade. Food can only bo permitted to pass to Franco when it is made clear that it will not fall into the hands of the rapacious Nazis. Admiral Darlan, who was formerly a vigorous supporter of the blockade, must surely see the justice of that proviso.