PUPPET OF NAZIS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 154, 2 June 1941, Page 5

PUPPET OF NAZIS.

VICHY ATTACKS BRITAIN

VICHY. June 1. Admiral Darlan, in a statement t»: j the J'ress of Occupied France, bittcrlv j attacked Britain. "After the R.A.I'", bombing of Sfax, 1 am more than ever determined to secure respect for France's rights to dispose freely of her ports and lines of communication," he said. "France is still strong enough not to put up with any violation of territory or insult to her flag." Summing up what he described as British acts of piracy against France, lie said: •'Ninety French ships totalling 370,000 tons have been seized since last July; 10 ships, totalling 36,000 tons, have been appropriated in French colonial territories; 33 ships, totalling 158,000 tons, have been captured at sea since last June; 13 ships, totalling 142,000 tons, have been impounded by the United Stales under British orders; 21 ships, totalling BG.OOO tons, have been lost since last July as a result ol bombing, torpedoing, or scuttling in the face of British threats. This represents a total value of 120,000.000 irancs. "The British have also seized the French possession of New Caledonia," Admiral Darlan added. '-Britain accused France of sending Germany and Italy supplies and transporting arms, but Britain aimed only to destroy French sea-power and separate France from her colonial empire. I shall see that France takes the position of a great Power in Europe and the world. This means she must take her share | in the construction ot the new order," he said. It is officially announced that a second British air raid on Sfax. in Tunisia, took place yesterday, when three planes tried to hit an Italian merchantman. There were no casualties.

General de Gaulle's headquarters have announced that the French Minister to Bolivia (M. Grandin de Leprivier) has sent his resignation to the Vichy Government in order to join the i.le Gaulle movement.

PROTEST FROM VICHY. (Rec. 11.-48 a.m.) RUGBY. June 2. The French Ambassador in Madrid has handed the British Minister (Sir Samuel Hoare) a Note from Vichy protesting against the bombing of the ship Rabelais in Sfax harbour and injury to eight French nationals.—Official Wireless.