FRENCHMEN’S VOW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21142, 9 July 1943, Page 3

FRENCHMEN’S VOW

DE GAULLE AS LEADER OATH OF ALLEGIANCE SECRET PAPER REVEALED (10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 8. The American Government received information concerning a secret French document revealing, it is alleged, that General de Gaulle’s followers desire to perpetuate him as leader of the French people, says the Washington correspondent of the United Press. Responsible quarters vouched for the authenticity of the documents which takes the form of an oath of allegiance subscribed to by supporters of General de Gaulle in and out of France. The oath pledged agents of General de Gaulle to recognise General de Gaulle as the sole, legitimate leader of Frenchmen and to work under the orders of his leaders before as well as after the liberation of France.

The correspondent says that the document has caused concern among Government officials who are reluctantly coming to the conclusion that General de Gaulle is more interested in his own political ambitions than the United Nations’ cause.

The Associated Press correspondent in Trinidad says that crowds of 15,000 strong took possession of the streets of Fort de France, Martinique, for two days recently, shouting: “Vive de Gaulle,” and singing the Marseillaise. This is reported to have forced Government action in seeking an agreement with the United States.