FRANCE AT WAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 June 1943, Page 5

FRANCE AT WAR

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FIRST MEETING AT ALGIERS NEW CHAPTER COMMENCED (Rec. 12.5 p.m.) London, May 31. The French Central Executive Committee which is the new governing body met for the first time to-day at Algiers. Those present were Generals Giraud, de Gaulle, Catroux, Georges, and M.M. Massigli, Philip and Monnet. M. Monnet is a diplomatist and a financier and was chosen chairman of the British-French Co-ordination Committee for the purchase of supplies on the outbreak of war. Columbia Broadcasting System’s Algiers correspondent says things are moving really fast. A new chapter has begun for Frenchmen in North Africa, also for France. Referring to the Executive Committee the correspondent says it will form the nucleus of a body which will manage the affairs of France at war. The moral effect on Frenchmen in North Africa is tremendous. They have feeling that something new has happened in North Africa. General de Gaulle has given active assignment with the French air combat group to General Vuillemin. former Commander-in-Chief of the French Air Forces. General de Gaulle received Col. Vuillemin after his arrival at Algiers and gave him a new commission with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Moscow radio announced that General Giraud appointed General Georges and M. Jean Monnet to the new French Central Executive Committee consisting of nine men, two to be appointed by General Giraud and two by General de Gaulle. Conversations between Generals Giraud and de Gaulle began at Algiers day—B.O.W. and P.A.