SUPPLIES FOR FRANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 7

SUPPLIES FOR FRANCE

GERMAN “GENEROSITY”

REPLY TO ADMIRAL DARLAN

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Recd. March 18, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 17.

“Admiral Darlan’s amazing declaration that the Germans proved more generous and more humanitarian than the British, was not only a travesty •of the truth, but further proof of Hitler’s strong pressure on Vichy,” says “The Times’s” French correspondent. “The Germans control all foodstuffs reaching France, exacting 25 per cent. They also seized all pigs, animal fats, and 70 per cent, of the crops. The alleged generosity of Germans regarding potatoes was only a blind to deceive public opinion. The Germans commandeer 75 per cent, of the stocks of potatoes which goes to Germany. Ten per cent, is then released ostensibly to save France from alleged starvation.

“Miners in occupied France yesterday struck for a larger ration. The Germans in occupied France receive the same ration card as the French, but the French receive one, while the Germans get three.”

FOOD SHIP DEPARTS.

JERSEY CITY/ March 17.

The American ship Exmouth sailed to-day for Marseilles, loaded to capacity with powdered and evaporated milk, other food, and clothing for children in unoccupied France. The cargo, which included medical supplies is valued at 1,250,000 dollars, all supplied by the American Red Cross.

U.S.A. CONDITIONS

(Recd. March 18, 2.10 p.m.). WASHINGTON, March 17.

The United States is willing to permit the shipment of specified grains to unoccupied France, with certain conditions regarding its ultimate consumption. said Mr. Sumner Welles, today. He added that M. Haye had requested the release of food as cargo for two French ships at present at New York. The President informed M. Haye he was entirely willing that this request should be raised with the American Red Cross. It was obvious the American Government must assure itself that the final consumption of all food sent, occurred within the unoccupied zone.

AMBASSADOR’S THANKS.

(Recd. March 18,. 12.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 17.

M. Gaston Henry Haye, the French Ambassador, after a conference with Mr. Roosevelt,, to-day, predicted that a large quantity of American food will soon begin flowing to unoccupied France, through th.e medium of the American Red Cross. He said that the needs are beyond imagination, and indicated a belief that the British have agreed to permit relief. M. Haye added: ‘T suppose that the President has received British agreement, because he and the Administration are careful not to do anything against the rules of the British blockade. We are expecting the greatest tonnage possible, although it is impossible to say how much this might be.” M. Haye said that he agreed with the President, in order that _ none should be suspicious, that all kinds of controls should be arranged regarding the arrival, unloading, and distribui tion.

The Ambassador said: “France’s main need now is wheat, as the bread ration is diminishing every day, and the danger to health grows worse.”

M. Haye said that the feeding of France was not altogether a matter of charity. “We are not only asking for gifts. We simply want to use our frozen funds, or a small part of them, to buy food.” M. Haye concluded: “I am very thankful to the President, who has shown great human sense and ihe keenest viewpoint. I express thanks in the name of the children and women of France.”

ANTI-VICHY PROPAGANDA.

(Recd. March 18, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 17.

The “Evening News” published copies of sticker labels printed in Occupied France, appearing on walls throughout Paris. “String up the traitors Laval, Darlan, Deat, Frot, Marquet, and all other members of the sinister Vichy gang. These traitors and sneak-thieves are drawing from Germany, the price of their .shameful treason. Long live France. Long live De Gaulle. Long live England. They have one single object, to defeat Germany—a nation that preys on others, that lived, still lives, by theft, rape, pillage and murder. Then will the whole world breathe again.”