FRANCE WITHIN

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1944, Page 5

FRANCE WITHIN

DE GAULLE’S CONSCRIPTION PLAN.

LONDON, June 29. The London correspondent of the New York newspaper “P.M., says the French Provisional Government intends to introduce conscription in liberated France. De Gaulle intends to

create a new anuj the inside of France. Anglo-French agreements on mu tual aid. and the civil administration of liberated territory, including the currency question, are nearly i 5* When all the details are settled American, views will be sought. , Eventually it is hoped that similar agreements will be concluded between the French and American Governments. Meanwhile, it is intended, after American concurrence is obtained, that the Anglo-French agreements should be put into force At present the front, mostly unde 20 miles from the coast, and all tne land occupied is a military zone under the direct responsibility of -he military commanders. Not until there are large forward areas behind, the front will the administration be wholly French under the direct control of the Provisional Government. No difficulties seem to have arisen either in negotiating the agreements or in making the preliminary arrangements in the beachhead dis triets so far, occupied. , The Germans used bomoers, fighters 4-inch guns and mortars in a bp. battle against the French forces of the interior, in the central mountain of France, where the Partisans are estimated to number upwards ot 20,000, state reports reaching London. The French withstood the attack and forced the Germans to withdraw, leaving 200 dead and 400 wounded. This section of the French forces the interior has been raiding isolated German garrisons since D Day, but this was its first big battle The French Provisional Government has radioed an appeal to Marshal Petain to help save the lives or captured French who have helped the Allies. It has asked him to dissolve the Vichy Puppet Regime, thus making void Article 10 of the 1940 armistice convention.. Under Article 10 the Germans are entitled to put to death any Frencn who take up arms against them. The French Provisional Government claims- that, captured members of the French resistance forces should be given the rights of prisoners of war. A leading Frenchman in London said: “This is Petain’s last chance. If he refuses to co-operate in saving French prisoners he will be judged after the war as mercilessly as the other Quislings.”