FRENCH UNREST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 5 July 1943, Page 2

FRENCH UNREST

REPORTS FROM OCCUPIED FRANCE ACTIVITY OF GUERRILLAS (Rec. 1.15 p.m.) London, July 4. A constant trickle of reports from occupied countries in Europe shows that the Allies’ current war of nerves is hotting up the volcano on which Italians and Germans are sitting. Reports received in the last 24 hours include the following:— Yugoslavia: Berlin radio reveals that gendarmerie and security police in Croatia who formerly required authority from the Minister for the Interior to use arms are now under control of local prefects. This follows reports of heavy fighting against guerrillas in west Yugoslavia, where the German attempts to wipe out guerrillas has finally failed. From Istanbul it is reported that in an effort to crush Yugoslav resistance the Germans launched an undisguised terror campaign, and 3050 hostages were shot in the first 23 days of June. Moscow radio stated that Slovenian guerrillas blew up eight railway stations ,two bridges and dynamited a German military train.

Bulgaria: Berlin radio stated that Bulgarian police made many arrests after the discovery of a big Commun* ist conspiracy. The police also shot a group of “Jewish terrorists.” Greece: Moscow radio reported that 300 Italians were killed or wounded in a battle when Greek forces “now recognised as part of the Allied second front army” raided Italian garrisons in several places. Greek civil servants are reported to be quitting their jobs and joining the guerrillas. Belgium : Moscow radio said Belgian patriots attackvl an anti-aircraft battery routed the German crew and wrecked a gun. A German military train was derailed near Brussels. Two Belgian members of the German militia were shot at Tongeren. Norway- A German climb-down was revealed when the execution of two hostages for slaying a German lieutenant scheduled for Ist July was not carried out. France: A number of Germans were killed or wounded when a bomb was thrown into the Paris garage of the German-occupied Hotel Victoire. A German military train was also bombed. A crowd in Toulouse stopped the embarkation of press-ganged labourers by a mass demonstration, after which they broke into the town hall and destroyed files relating to labour mobilisation. Alsace: The “Strassburger Neuese Nachrichten” records a series of death sentences and executions by the German People’s Court for political crimes^ Denmark: “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says there is rejoicing throughout Denmark at a snub Parliament administered to the Danish Nazis. Members of Parliament all voted against allowing the Nazi leader Fritz Clausens and his party gangsters to put a formal question to the Governmentabout the prevention of sabotage which is rife in Denmark. For instance, seven explosions in a big timber yard near Copenhagen on the night of 2nd July, destroyed export material for prefabri-' eating German army barracks. The Germans so far have arrested and imprisoned about 100 youthful Danes for sabotage. Danish Nazis have been instructed to no longer wear the party badge because the sight of it prevents “sensible conversation.” Rumania: Berlin radio quoting the newspaper •‘Currentul” said: “The question of whether Rumania can come to an agreement with the Soviet Union rests on the conditions the Soviet demands, which at present are unacceptable.”

Hungary: Budapest radio announced that the police rounded up a group of terrorists who were attempting to damage industrial installations at Plovdiv. Some terrorists were killed ant 1 five captured.—P.A. BROADCAST TO PEOPLE OF GREECE (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) Rugby, July 4. King George of Greece broadcasting to the people of Greece from Cairo, said that for the past three months he and the Greek Government had been combining with the Allied High Command planning operations which would one day expel the enemy from the Greek mainland. As soon as it was possible to transport a Government to Greek soil the present Government would resign and a new one be set up representative of all parties, and as soon as the military situation permitted a general election would be held to choose a new Greek Parliament.

Algiers radio broadcast a fourth warning to the people of France to get away from military objectives such as factories and other places working for the Germans. It is essential, the broadcast said, that they should get away without delay.—B.O.W.