POSITION IN FRANCE

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1940, Page 3

POSITION IN FRANCE

U.S.A. Quaker’s .Report THREAT OF FAMINE. (Received September 10, 8.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 9. Doctor Joseph Stokes, Jnr., has returned from a six weeks’ tour of unoccupied France, made on behalf ol the Quaker Relief Organisation. He said that the Germans were doing nothing to help inhabitants in the unoccupied zones, which were threatened with famine. “The Germans, ’’ he said “could permit food to ente\ but the fact that they are removing food' to Germany shows that they need it themselves.” FRENCH GOVERNMENT. AND OCCUPIED COUNTRIES. VICHY, September 9. At the request of Germany, the French Government is terminating its diplomatic representation in the 'German-occupied countries. German Demand FOR FRENCH SUPPLIES. (Received September 11 12.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 10. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent states: “It is reliably stated that Germany has formally demanded that the Vichy government shall ship to the Reich 58 per cent, of the food and raw materials in unoccupied France, and similarly such products as are imported to France in future. It is believed that the new French Ambassador, who is to endeavour to obtain food relief for France from the United States, will meet with fresh obstacles, due to the foregoing. GENERAL DE GAULLE’S ATTACK. ON PETAIN GOVERNMENT. RUGBY, September 9 General De Gaulle, described the Vichy trial of ex-Ministers of France as having been deliberately engineered. Broadcasting, he said: “The Vichy Government is acting under Hitler’s horsewhip and Mussolini’s lash. It has the task of convincing the world that France did wrong to enter the war.” To this so-called Government, he said, people were criminals who believed France was threatened, or thought France should fight well, and those who resisted this honourable temptation of selling themselves into slavery without even drawing the sword. “Although in the whole world,” General De Gaulle continued, “from Gibraltar to Kanchaka, from Magellan to the Behring Straits, not a single person seriously doubts those responsible for the war are the dictators in Berlin and Rome, yet a monstrous trial has been started in France against Frenchmen who are being prosecuted for this offence. This is truly a magnificent achievement, magnificent, let me hasten to add for the enemy. One day without doubt, there will be a real trial of the guilty party. There is every reason to believe many of those now prosecuting would then be in the dock.”

FRENCH INDIA. (Received September 10, 11.5 p.mJ PONDICHERY, September 10. French India has rallied to General De Gaulle, and denounced the Vichy Government. PLANES IN MARTINIQUE (Received September 11, 12.30 a.mJ NEW YORK, September 10. The New York “Times” Washington correspondent says: The State Department is concerned that French forces in Martinique remain in possession of 130 American bombers aboard an aircraft carrier. Diplomatic efforts have been made to regain possession via America. They are failing.

Collapse of France EFFECT ON WOOL MARKET ALL EUROPE CLOSED LONDON, July 12 The whole of Europe is closed to the importation of wool as a result of the capitulation of France to the Germans. The United Kingdom and the United States become, for the duration of the war, the cmef wool buying countries of the woild, and upon them falls the entire responsibility of consuming the world’s exportable surplus. Commenting upon the position, “The Times” said: “Every fresh gain of territory by the Germans means a corresponding loss to the wool markets of the world, for once a nation passes under German control it ceases to share in the British Empire’s vast store of wool, while any purchases made on its behalf in other markets are either voluntarily diverted Io Great. Britain, or presumably become subject to Ihe Allied blockade action. “With Australian and New Zealand woo] output sold in its entirety to Great Britain for the period of (he war, and with large quantities of South African and East Indian wool bought by this country as well, the open market for wool is by no means as important a feature of world trade in this commodity as in normal times. The thinning of the ranks of wool buyers does not embarrass the British Empire countries which have disposed of all their wool to Great Britain, as these sales are at fixed price.’’ The “Yorkshire Observer” says: “If a reserve of wool is to be accumulated to the extent that former allies and neutrals have been unable to take their allocations, it is more likely to be accumulated in the countries of origin than in the United Kingdom. Shipping space and the need for the maintenance of employment in Britain will probably be the deciding factors in this matter. “These decisons will govern the rate at which material is to be brought, from the Dominions, and, if shipping space is required for more urgent cargoes, supplies of wool landed in this country will have.to cover a longer' period I han that originally contemplated. “Priority of shipment will no doubt be given to ’wools from New Zealand, almost all of which are suitable for service cloth's. Larger quan-

titles of South African wool will now be available to the United Kingdom. For some years past, Germany has taken a considerable percentage of the Cape clip, and other Continental countries have taken the bulk of the medium and short wools from that source. “That trade is no longer possible and it seems that the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be the principal buyers of South African wool for some time to corns. “As shipments to Britain from South Africa involve a journey of only three weeks, compared with eight weeks in the case of Australia, it would obviously be more convenient for the United Kingdom if reserves of suitable wools wore built up in South Africa rather than in Australia ” Of interest and importance to the woolgrowers of the Dominions is I lie vis'd of Dr. Clunies Ross, chairman of the International Wool Secretariat, to the United States. It will be bis last mission for the Secretariat before he terminates his engagement with it on his return to Australia later in the year. The Secretariat is planning an extension of its work in the United States, while contracting it in Britain. Dr. Clunies Ross will discuss plans with American agents and inquire whether it will be possible for the Secretariat to link up with the American Woolgrowers’ Association. Following an agreement with the Secretariat earlier in the year, the association has been collecting a wool levy this year from its members.