FRENCH ARMY IN SYRIA.

Evening Star, Issue 23862, 17 April 1941, Page 6

FRENCH ARMY IN SYRIA.

One of the most surprising cable statements of the last 4 twenty-four hours is that the Germans are reported to have 1,600 tanks in North Africa. It is not the presence of the tanks but their number that is astonishing. Mr Churchill has already explained, however, that German aeroplanes and armoured troops were beginning to arrive at Tripoli before the British capture of Benghazi, which was as long ago as February 7. Obviously we have not been able to control the Mediterranean equally at all times and at all places, although something nearer to that supremacy should be reached now that control of the Hod Sea can bo no longer disputed. The question arises whether the German supplies were got directly - to Tripoli or whether a proportion of them enjoyed the protection of the coastal’ defences ot the French protectorate of Tunisia after

perhaps half the passage. If Admiral Darlau, as the 1 Daily Mail ' suggests, was a party to this process ho would bo acting directly contrary to Marshal Pctain’s pronouncement of only a week ago, ‘‘ it is a matter of honour for us

to do nothing against ou,r former ally.” The point must be indeterminable without further evidence, but it is worth recalling how fundamentally the French capitulation of May of last year transformed the whole position in the Middle East.

Mr Stimson has referred, and justly, to the seven years’ start in war preparations which the democracies gave to Germany. For the aggression which is now taking place, or planned, in the Middle East, however, France and Britain were particularly well prepared. There was a French army of at least 150,000 men, in Syria which, in the event of war, was expected to form the key to a campaign to protect Suez and Egypt and reinforce Turkey and Bulgaria. When France collapsed it might have adhered to that role. Instead, the French forces decided to strike their colours and lay down their umiscd arms. There was much division; 150 officers, who favoured the other course, are still imprisoned, and many of the soldiers crossed over to Palestine and now serve with the Free French. The army in Syria is represented to-day by about 20,000 men, of whom a Beyrout correspondent writes in the ‘ Christian Science Monitor’; “They detest the Germans and despise the Italians, but their admiration for Britain is not u.nmixed with envy and inarticulate resentment that British moral fibre proved tougher than theirs and that the British still have something to live for, while their whole world has turned to ashes.” The feeling of resentment has been said to be even stronger in the French navy, which has never been free from a certain jealousy of that of Britain, and of which Admiral Dnrlan, Petain’s right-hand man, is a representative. In tho ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ view Darlau “ appears to bo encouraging fifth columnists in Syria.” Whether that is so or not it is inevitable that the country which the French still rule, subject to tho supervision of a “ Mixed Commission for Control,” consisting of six Italians and one German, should be a hotbed of intrigue. The situation between Turkey, Iran, Transjordan, and Palestine makes it an ideal centre for German activities in neighbouring States. The Syrians blame the French Government for deprivations suffered from tho Allies’ blockade, and were 1 filled with joy by a rumour that the British were demanding the handing over of French naval units and shipping in Syrian and Lebanese ports. The Control Commission first caused the coastal batteries to be dismantled and then, so that British demands, if those were made, might be resisted, ordered their restoration. At the commission’s command French colonial troops, in February, wore building tank traps and stringing barbed wire entanglements along the road to Palestine. Though their prestige slumped badly during tho Italian reverses, the Gormans are said to have been allowed a free hand in (their intrigues with neighbouring countries. In contrast has been the treatment of the British Consul at Beyrout, who is kept under constant police surveillance, and of the American envoy, Colonel Donovan, who had difficulty in obtaining a visa for his visit, though he was thrice wounded in Franqe during the first World War and wears distinguished French decorations.

To-morrow is Poppy Day, and the public arc exhorted to give generously for the poppy red and wear it on Anzac Day. By the purchase of these poppies permanent work is provided for a large number of disabled soldiers in New Zealand. They fought for the safety of the British Empire, and before long these monies will be used to assist men of the Second N.Z.E.F. Substantial reductions in electricity charges to both domestic and commercial consumers were made by the Wellington. Oity Council last night. The reductions, which will become effective on July 1, represent a concession of approximately £27,500 a year. The mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, said the new charges would make Wellington easily the cheapest seller of electricity for domestic purposes in Australia or New Zealand. Referring to the fact that the war had sent prices for good draught geldings soaring, the annual report of the Clydesdale Horse Society of Great Britain goes on to say that the rise in values applied generally to all agricultural produce in England. “It is unfortunate,” the report comments, “ that it requires a war before the agriculturist is assured of an economic return for his labours.” The motives which actuated a soldier in converting two cars wcio explained by Detective-sergeant Murray in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Monday after the soldier had pleaded guilty to the offences. 11 He was advertising in the Press as a ‘ lonely soldier ’ who desired to meet an attractive young girl with a view to matrimony,” said Mr Murray, “ and he was using these converted cars to drive around calling on the ladies who answered the advertisements ” Australian school children who have been corresponding with persons overseas are to be discouraged from adopting “ penfriends ” in countries outside the British Empire. Such letters, it is feared, may provide a means, of circulating enemy propaganda. Authorities in Melbourne who nave been checking letters received in Australia from “ penfriends ” overseas are deeply concerned at the insidious form of propaganda which is being used to influence the minds of young people. The Dunedin Ladies’ Brass Band had a very successful Easter week-end, and has added considerably to its laurels through performances given in the Oamaru Gardens on Good Friday and at Timaru on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, at a carnival staged by the Caroline Bay Improvements Association. At Oamaru, where weather conditions were excellent, more than 2,000 persons (said to be a local record for such an event) were present at the 'Gardens, and the sum of £2B was raised in a collection. The band was well praised both for its playing and for its smartness of appearance. Again at Timaru it was extremely well received, and large crowds attended indoor and outdoor concerts, applauding freely. While at Timaru the band paid a visit to the hospital and entertained patients with items, a gesture that was much appreciated.

“ It is fast developing to a stage when the Government will' be employing an army of officials to collect the taxes and the ratepayers an army of accountants to protect themselves.”, remarked Mr G. f. Crawley, president of the Waikato sub-provincial branch of (be New Zealand Farmers' Union, in his report to the annual conference of the branch. Taxation, lie said, .nstcad or being simplified, had become even more complicated, necessitating an everincreasing stall of officials, many of whom were capable of much more useful work.

“ The behaviour of Italian submarines, on occasions, has been much less callous than that of fheGermans,” writes Rear-Admiral H. G. Thursficld in the current number of the ‘ Navy.’ “ The s.s. Shakespeare was sunk in the Atlantic after a gun action, which lasted two hours, against an Italian submarine commanded by' Liontonantconimander Salvatore Todn.ro. Iho survivors of her company, to the number of 23, including her master, took to the boats when further resistance was impossible, owing to their one defensive <nm being put out of action. The submarine then dosed and sank the Shakespeare by further gunfire; but, instead of leaving the survivors to their fate, as a German would have done, she towed the boats to within sight of land,”

The mavor (Mr A. H. Allen) wishes to acknowledge _ with thanks the receipt of a donation of £4 4s. from “ A Mother,” to the fund for the “ adoption ” of Chinese refugee children, bringing the total up to £1,016 Os -Id. A letter of appreciation from Lieu-tenant-commander P. G. Connolly has recently been received by a member of the Hillside Workshops staff for the parcels of socks sent to the men on his ship. Ho wishes to thank sincerely all who have been connected with the despatch of these gifts to his men, and is highly appreciative of his people so far away responding so promptly and generously to his recent request for socks for his crew. Individual letters from the men on the ship have been arriving lately, and several ladies who knitted socks or were connected with the wool fund have recently had grateful notes of tliauks.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce, Wellington, has advised the Dunedin Chamber of the following amendments by the Comptroller of Customs to the import licensing schedule for the fifth period;—(l) Leather watch straps (ex tariff item 203) from United Kingdom during the fifth licensing period to the extent of 60 per cent, of the value of the applicant’s importations of similar goods from all purees during 1938; (2) sanitary towels (ex tariff item 184) from tho United Kingdom or Australia to the extent of 25 per cent, of the value of imports in 1938 of such articles from all sources by the applicant for a license; (3) it has been decided that licenses for the importation of cornflour from the United Kingdom during 1941 may be amended to enable imports to be made from Australia ; (4) it has been decided that licenses for the importation of prunes (ex item ;36, 1) from Australia in 1941 may be amended to enable imports to be made from tho United States of America to the extent of twothirds of the value of such licenses.

An interesting collection of pieces of Italian equipment has been brought back to New Zealand by Major G. RBlaokett, M.C., staff officer in charge of the Auckland area, who has returned from, a tour of duty which took him as far as Benghazi and the Libyan battlefields. The articles include two Italian ground sheets, which are about twice the width of the New Zealand pattern, and can be buttoned up to form a sleeping bag. There' is an opening in the centre for the head and a storm collar, so that the sheets can also be used as waterproof capes. Any number of sheets from two upwards can also bo buttoned together to form a bivouac. For this purpose each soldier carries four aluminium telescopic rods to spike the corner to the ground and to form the roof-tree. Another piece of Italian equipment in the collection is an officer’s bivouac tout, with a steel frame and ground base, Bft by Bft. An illustration of the humour and pungent sarcasm which often tinged the speeches of Winston Churchill in the British Parliament was given by Dr 0. C. Mazengavb, of Wellington, in an address at the National Club in Christchurch. The speaker quoted _Mr Churchill as saying on one occasion: “ Mr Speaker, many years ago I was taken to sec Barmun’s Circus, and 1. was disappointed at not being allowed to visit one side-show that 1 was very anxious to sec. This was the Boneless Wonder. I have waited 4.0 years to seif him, and I see him now.”

No fewer than four automatic false alarms called the City Fire Brigade put overnight, and all were to the Hillside Railway Workshops. Tho times were 10.57 p.m. and 2.55 , 6.33, and 9.32 this morning. Counting this, the brigade had a comparatively busy night. At 6.40 p.m. yesterday there was a chimney fire at Islington street, Northeast Valley, and at 2.14 a.mb to-day a fire in the Port Chalmers Fish Supply shop in Rattray street. It was caused by the fusing of an electric motor, and no damage was done. “ Lovelock’s oak,” presented by Hitler J . > the famous New Zealand athlete at the Olympic Games in Berlin some years ago, has completed its acclimatisation at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch. Tho director of the Gardens (Mr J. A. M'Pherson) said yesterday that the curator of the Timaru Public Gardens had collected the young oak last week. It would remain at the Timaru Gardens for some time before being finally transferred to the grounds of the Timaru Boys’ High School—Dr Lovelock’s old school. The oak, now ISin in height, had been an ugly specimen. and had taken a long time to got acclimatised, he said.