FRANCE AND THE BLOCKADE

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 7

FRANCE AND THE BLOCKADE

ADMIRAL DARLAN'S DECLARATION OBVIOUS DISTORTION OF FACT SIGNS OF GERMAN PRESSURE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 11. ‘ The Times ’ says: “ It is a long time since Dr Goebbels was presented with such a sparkling gift as Admiral Darlan’s declaration that the Germans have been, more generous than the British, This distortion of fact is so obvious that it calls Admiral Darlan’s motive into question. Admiral Darlan did not even mention the vast quantities of French produce of all kinds plundered by the Germans. Over fourfifths of France’s-wheatfields are occupied, and France is being tilled by Germans. Germany takes about twothirds of all the goods imported into unoccupied France. “ Britain has let many ships each month pass Gibraltar to France,” 1 The Times ’ concludes, “ hut cannot be expected also to look the other way when the Germans see therein a chance of ‘ breaching the blockade.” The ‘ Daily Mail,’ in a leader, says: “ We do not desire the French people to suffer privations. If Britain were •assured that the supplies would not reach the enemy,, some agreement would probably be reached, hut it_ must be reinforced with the strongest guarantee from Vichy. It is for Admiral Darlan to. advance proposals. When France was our ally none upheld the blockade more firmly than Admiral Darlan.” A Washington message states that the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, conferred with the United States Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, on Admiral Darlan’s blockade threat. Later he told the Press that Britain had already made her attitude clear. Lord Halifax said: “Unoccupied France stands in a somewhat different position from the occupied countries, but her problems are the same.” Diplomatic sources said that the Vichy Government has twice rejected (British invitations to an economic conference to discuss food—possibly under German pressure. GOVERNOR OF ALGERIA CONFERENCE WITH DARLAN VICHY, March 11. Admiral Abrial, Governor of Algeria, arrived to-day and conferred with Admiral Darlan. GENERALWEYGAND IN ALGIERS VICHY, March 11. (Received March 12, at 12.15 p.m.) General Wcygand arrived at Algiers by air yesterday. Explaining the secrecy of the departure, the censor said they did not want a repetition of the Ohiappe incident. MALTA ACAIK RAIDED SEAPLANE BASE MAGHIKE-GUNHED VISIT FROM MESSERSCHMITTS VALETTA, March 11. (Received March 12, at 8 a.m.) Malta was raided five times to-day, making eleven times in two days and over 400 in nine months. Several Messerschmitts to-day machine-gunned the seaplane base. MUNITION WORKERS WOMEN RESPOND TO APPEAL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 10. , The London evening newspapers report a wide response to the call from the Minister of Labour, Mr E. Bevin, for women to make munitions. Women of all ages have applied at employment exchanges or by letter or telephone. Some are married, with families, and some had jobs they were willing to give up for war work. The biggest response appears to have been in districts outside London. This will occasion no surprise, since London women have come forward so well in reply to former appeals.