FRENCH AFFAIRS

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1942, Page 6

FRENCH AFFAIRS

LONDON, April 29. Marshal Petain will broadcast to the French people on May 2, when he will give a balance-sheet of what his Government has done during the past 12 months. It is reported from Vichy that Admiral Darlan received the United States Ambassador (Admiral W. D. Leahy), before his departure for America.

Cuba has granted de facto recognition of Free French control over five French territories. It was said that the Government would deal with them exclusively through the Free French Government headquarters in London.

The live territories are the Pacific Islands, the Tahiti Group, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Equatorial Africa and the Camerpons.

Agency messages from Berne state that General Andre Giraud, the 61-vear-old commander of the French 9th. Army in the Battle of France, has passed safely through Switzerland after escaping from a German fortress. If this is confirmed it will be one of the most spectacular escapes of the war. After General Giraud escaped he had to elude thousands of Gestapo, soldiers and police. His description was broadcast from every Nazi radio station, and a reward of 100,000 marks was offered for his capture. When he escaped in the last war, General Giraud went to Britain. This time he went to Switzerland, where he was said to have arrived a week ago, leaving again on Saturday for an undisclosed destination.

LONDON, April 29. The United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) declared in Washington to-day that his Government’s relations with Vichy were still on a day-to-day basis. He said that there were many elements to consider in framing a policy. TRAWLER SUNK. 8.0.W. RUGBY, April 30. Free French naval headquarters announces that the armed trawler “Viking” has been sunk. Sixteen of the crew are believed to have been saved. FRENCH WORKERS’ APPEAL, 8.0.W. RUGBY, April 30. One of the most-imposing indictments of Nazi tyranny in the countries which they have occupied is contained in a remarkable and moving document which has reached Genera] de Gaulle’s headquarters. It is addressed to the workers of the free world, from the trade unionists of France.

It states that the trade unionists of France, who are faithful to the traditions of the Labour-movement, and represent all French workers, on this May Day call upon the world workers,, more especially British, American and Russian, who share the heaviest task of liberation, not for pity, although they are plundered and betrayed by the pitiless enemy, who steals their food and labour to wage a war of slavery, and their country is betrayed by the most despicable man in France, but for confidence in themselves. They state that their plight is serious. The Germans have imposed low wages, and interfere with food supplies, and organise a black market. “Our liberties are dead,” they say. They declare that they are not accomplices and traitors. They are made to work for Germany by sheer force or the threat of starvation. Those who have tried to make the Allies believe that the workers collaborate, have lied. On the contrary, they have placed their confidence in their Allied woi’ker comrades. “We are ready to do everything to help you. To sabotage the enemy’s production so far as we can, to accept the justified bombing of factories working for Germany, and to follow the instructions you may send us.” The people of France are behind General de Gaulle, they add.