FRANCE IN CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23205, 26 November 1938, Page 18

FRANCE IN CRISIS

NATION WHOLLY UNITED SIR G. TALUS' IMPRESSIONS The manner in which the French people set asido their traditional political controversies and combined as ono force to prepare for war was a feature of tho recent European crisis which impressed Sir George Tallis, of Melbourne, a former theatre director, who was a through passenger by tho Mariposa from San Francisco yesterday on his return from an extended overseas tour. For three weeks prior to Mr. Chamberlain's first visit to Herr Hitler, Sir George was in Paris, and daily he noticed a change in tho nation's attitude.

"I was tremendously impressed by the way in which tho various political parties came together and faced the crisis with quiet dignity and determination," Sir George said. "Yoti expect that in England, for nothing ever disturbs her, but the manner in which tho French soberly prepared for any eventuality and efficiently mobilised 750,000 men mainly at night was very heartening." Strikes censed and newspapers hos> tile to the Government refrained from criticism, ho added. Many small businesses closed, and 011 tho doors appeared notices with tho simple inscription, "Called to the Colours Everyone behaved magnificently.