GAIN FOR THE ALLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24636, 15 July 1943, Page 3

GAIN FOR THE ALLIES

MARTINIQUE'S RESOURCES FRENCH WARSHIPS INCLUDED (Reed. 8.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 14 > Admiral Robert, Vichy High Commissioner for Martinique, is relinquishing his authority there. He is to be succeeded by M. Henri Hoppenot, of the French military mission in Washington. M. Hoppenot and his assistants expect to arrive in Martinique in the near future. The State Department, which made this announcement, added that as soon as M. Hoppenot has officially assumed authority the United States Government will resume relations with the colony. M. Hoppenot, who was designated for the post by the French Committee of National Liberation, has assured the United States that the resources of the French Antilles will he fully mobilised for the prosecution of the war against the Axis, and that all French warships and merchant ships there will be made available to the Allies. The French warships at Martinique are the 22,000-ton aircraft-carrier Beam, the cruiser Emile Bertin, and the training ship Jeanne D'Arc. Two other cruisers are in the French West Indies. SECESSION FROM VICHY DELEGATION IN CHINA (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) CHUNGKING. July 14 The representatives of the Vichy Government in Chungking have informed the Chinese Foreign Office that they have transferred their allegiance to the French Committee of National Liberation. A French gunboat, which is the only French warship in China waters, has been taken over by the committee at the suggest.ion of the crew. FRENCH NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE FROM ROOSEVELT LONDON, July 14 On the eve of Bastille Day, President Roosevelt sent a message to the people of France. He reiterated the pledge that Frenchmen would be allowed to have a Government of their own choice when the enemy had been driven from their soil. French service chiefs broadcast over the Algiers radio last night a number of messages to Frenchmen all over the world. General A. P. Juin spoke to French troops in North Africa. He said: "Together you will face the magnificent task of reconquering your hearths and your fields. France is awakening." Another French army officer sent a message to the people in France itself. He said although they could not celebrate their traditional day in France, it would bo celebrated in Algiers. The Vichy Government has banned all' ceremony or demonstration in France. FIGHTING IN CHINA (Recti. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 11 Heavy lighting continues unabated south and north-east ot' Linchwan, in the Taihano Mountains region, and near Lake Tungting, says a Chungking communique. South of the Yangtse River the Chinese forces repulsed Japanese attempts to recapture three villages.