PET AIN’S VIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 5 December 1940, Page 5

PET AIN’S VIEW

FRANCE’S AFRICAN COLONIES QUESTION OF GERMAN DEFENCE ONE OBSTACLE IN THE WAY i [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] I (Received sth December, 10.30 a.m.) PARIS. 4th December. Marshal Petain, in an interview, said: “Germany could undoubtedly co-operate in the protection of our North African and West African possessions that are menaced by General de Gaulle and Britain, but France would then have to declare war on Britain, resulting in the bombing of Paris and other cities, which should not be allowed to occur.” He added that the Vice-Premier, M. Laval, will shortly go to Berlin to discuss Franco-Gex'man collaboration. GERMAN TROOPS I ARMY OF OCCUPATION IN FRANCE GRIEVANCES EXPRESSED LONDON, 3rd December. It is learned that the German troops in occupied France are getting more depressed as the weeks go by. Antagonism from the population sometimes reaches violent expression in the murders of officers and sentries. Guards are found at dawn either stabbed in the back or beaten on the head with clubs. Officers of the German army are voicing almost as much disgust with their Government as their troops. In a recent article in one publication army grievances against the Finance Minister were clearly expressed. They objected to certain taxation, and the Finance Minister is rumoured to have passed a secret decree exempting the troops from its burden. The article adds that soldiers are risking their lives for the protection of the homeland. and the homeland should safeguard their economic interests. In spite of the threat of being sent to a concentration camp in Germany, from which no one ever expects to return, French people continue to do all they can to harass the Nazi army occupying their territory. German attempts to reopen armament factories have proved abortive because of recent acts of sabotage. The gloominess of the Nazi troops which delights the French inhabitants makes i; extremely difficult for the officers to control their men. Stories of the officers’ savagery with their men are frequently heard, and many suicides are reported. There is no doubt that Hitler’s series of invasions have put a great strain on the German Army, and the activities of the Royal Air Foi-ce are putting a similar strain on soldiers’ families. It is no wonder the Nazi Party sends its leaders round in an attempt to cope with the rising difficulty.