FRANCE SUFFERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23714, 22 July 1940, Page 9

FRANCE SUFFERS

| FLIGHT FROM PARIS SEARCH EOR REFUGEES RECONSTRUCTION PLANS RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 21, 7.10 p.m.) / LOXDOX. July 20 A police census conducted in Paris /has revealed that more than 3,000,000 people fled from the Paris region during the German invasion, the population being 1,933,000 on July 7. According to reports from Berlin, reinforcements of Gestapo agents are being sent to Paris and other French centres to help in a huge rounding up of Austrian and German refugees. It is .reported from Vichy that the French Cabinet has decided to inaugurate reconstruction by rebuilding thousands of destroyed bridges, tunnels, railways and roads and 100,000 dwellespecially in the northern areas. An official'announcement from Vichy states that tho Germans have freed Admiral Abrial, the hero of the Dunkirk evacuation, who has been appointed Governor-General of Algeria.

The French Foreign Minister, M. Baudouin, amplifying the statement lie made on Tuesday, in which he stated that reparations for the loss of French warships were a' pre-requisite to the resumption of diplomatic relations between Britain and France, said: "Information from London suggests that Britain is not disposed to release the French naval ships. Plainly no bargaining is possible because France is at the moment occupied in keeping pledges under the armistice. France is not responsible for whatever may be the outcome of the British attitude." The French newspaper Populaire, in which M. Blum, the former Socialist Premier, wrote a daily article, has ceased publication.

The French Embassy in London has closed its doors. The Charge d Affaires, together with staff members of the various missions, have left for France.

ITALIAN DELEGATIONS /' - .CARRYING ' OUT ARMISTICE (Received July 21, 5.30 p.m.) ROME. July 20 It is authoritatively stated that Italy has sent delegations on behalf of the Armistice Commission to Oran, jToulon, Bizerta and Ajaccio. It is reported that a delegation will soon proceed to other French overseas territory, including Syria, to arrange for the demobilisation of General Mittelhauser's' army. SUBJUGATING HOLLAND GERMAN COURTS ( THREAT TO DUTCH INDIES (Received July 21, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 20 An Amsterdam message reports that geyss Inquart has decreed establishing German courts to tr3' Dutchmen, in addition to Germans, in all cases involving acts against the German Reich and people or the Nazi party or crimes against the- public interest. A German spokesman declared that the Germans will take reprisals in Holland against Dutchmen in the Dutch Indies, owing to the ill-treatment of Germans in the Indies. A Netherlands Legation spokesman at Washington said the Netherlands East, Indies authorities would not release prisoners of war, regardless of threats. He added that the Legation had been informed of difficulties in Holland and of numerous small riots against the Germans. BELGIAN CABINET .'GERMANY ' FORBIDS RETURN LONDON, July Ifi A decree issued in Brussels forbids M. Pier lot. former Belgian Premier, who "is in England, and members of his Cabinet, to return to Belgium. Public officials who fled during the invasion must obtain German permission before they return.

The Bremen radio declared that Germany is releasing all Belgian prisoners of war except officers and non-commis-sioned officers. Repatriation has begun. CONTROL OF NORWAY POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES (Received July 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 20 A message from Zuricn states that the Germans are finding difficulty in Arming a new Norwegian State Council owing to the refusal of several Prominent persons to serve. Consequently the sitting of the Storting (Parliament), planned for July -3, has bc-en postponed. HONORARY COMMAND FORMER / WAR MINISTER . i - (Received 'July 21, 5.5 p.m.) • LONDON, July 20 The former Secretary of State for "&r, Mr. Oliver Stanley, who relinoffice on the formation of Mr. Churchill's Government, has been ap,l: Pointed honorary colonel of the Manchester Regiment.