FRANCE WITHIN

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1943, Page 3

FRANCE WITHIN

Petain’s Efforts PROTEST AT BOMBING OF TOWNS. (Rec. 9.10) LONDON, April 5. Marshal Petain dramatically closed a broadcast, which was relayed over the /French radio network to-night. He referred in conclusion to the American air raid on the Renault works, Paris, Marshal Petain said: “I have just learned that the Parisian suburbs have this afternoon been the theatre of Anglo-Saxon aggression—more dead, more wounded, and more homes destroyed! 1 protest against this completely unjustifiable act. It adds to the long, sad list ot our sufferers in our northern towns, in Brittany, in Normandy and in Tunisia.”

Earlier in his broadcast, Marshal Petain again traversed familiar contentions. He asserted that he is at present, preoccupied in working for the renovation of France and m averting the direct consequences of her defeat.

He added: “History will show that we have been spared. If our ordeal seems to be long, it is erroneous to blame the Government, which is not responsible. Therefore. if the methods of the men who led France to disaster and who then fled had been continued, France would never rise again. I have tried to give the best possible regime,' one which will Realise our social programme and eliminate unequality and misery.” Marshal Petain urged his hearers to maintain their discipline and to prepare for the renaissance of France. He added: “A triumph of Communism will destroy our French national life.” LONDON, April 4. A warning to the French people that the Germans mav try fake commando raids on the French coast to discover Allied sympathisers has been broadcast by the 8.8. C. and the Algiers radio. A spokesman, on behalf of the In-ter-Allied High Command, said: “We believe th e Germans intend to stage these fake landings. You must receive all rumours of Allied landings with the greatest reserve. Listen to the Allied radio?. We will inform you when the right moment arrives to strike.” M. Daladier, M. Blum and General Gamelin have been transferred to Germany to forestall’ a planned Anglo-American coup to liberate them, says the Berlin radio. BritishArriericans hoped to get hold of prominent personalities to form a Coun-ter-Government, to creat chaos and disquiet in France.. The radio added that M. Reynaud and M. Mandey, had previously been transferred to Germany. The German Government was unable to comply with M. Laval’s request to leave Daladier, Blum and Gamelin in France, but gave an as-. , surance the transfer would not result in any aggravation to the treatment the transferees are receiving. These persons will again be put at the disposal of the French Government as soon as the circumstances permit.