BASTILLE DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1940, Page 6

BASTILLE DAY

CELEBRATIONS IN ENGLAND.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received this day at 10.30, a.m.) LONDON, July 14

Several thousand Londoners shouted. “Vive La France’’ while Freuch'~soldiers and others cried ‘‘Vive I’Angle;--torre’’ in Whitehall. Drawn up before the .Centoph were. French Foreign Legionaries, members of the Airforce and marines and, others. Bugles sounded and then amid silence General l)e----gaulle laid a wreath and called out “Vive l’Angletere” and “Vive la France”. The crowd ecbod words and cheered.

A similar ceremony occurred before the statue of Marshal Foclr close to Victoria Station where a double row of liigh officers awaited Genera] Degaulle. Many of the French colony in London and refugees were present/.

Young Frenchmen broke the cordon after the ceremony and laid a wreath inscribed ‘‘The True France.” Mr Churchill in a message to General Degaulle said: “On the anniversary of one -of the greatest days in' French history, 1 take the opportunity of expressing niv sympathy for the French people in the hour of their misfortune. My gratitude goes to those who decided to continue the struggle by the side, of their Allies. 1 jlook forward with confiden.ee to the time which is not far distant, when July, 14 will again bo celebrated as a day of rejoicing by a free victorious France.”