RECOVERY CERTAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25052, 16 November 1944, Page 5

RECOVERY CERTAIN

ME EDEN CONFIDENT

STRONG TIES WITH BRITAIN LONDON, Nov. 14

The Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, in a stirring account to the House of Commons of the visit of Mr Churchill and himself to Paris, expressed confidence that France would recover, says the British official wireless. He said the result of German occupation had been to place British friendship with France ol a surer foundation than ever before.

"The overwhelming impression left upon our minds by those crowded hours was the sincerity and spontaneity of the welcome accorded to us by every section of the French people," Mr Eden continued. "For reasons of security no announcement was made in French papers of Mr Churchill's presence, even on the morning of the armistice ceremony, yet the news of his coming had spread overnight widely enough at least for multitudes to assemble on the main thoroughfare through which he was to pass. Expression of French Thankfulness ",It would be a great mistake to interpret this welcome as a momentary effervescence of spirits in a great capital city at last delivered from four years of foreign rule," he said. "It was something much deeper than that. It was rather an expression of deep thankfulness that the suffering had at last ended. One felt that behind the tumultuous greetings of those vast but orderly crowds was the heartbeat of a nation once again united with its Allies and confident of its own future.

"It is difficult for us here to picture the life endured by that great nation in eii":nv occupation, completely severed from all contacts with the outside world, dominated by enemy propaganda and able only to get encouragement from time to time from some clandestine listening to broadcasts from overseas. From countless Frenchmen we learned of the inspiration and the will to live they had drawn from Mr Churchill's broadcasts and from the regular work of the 8.8.C. General de Gaulle's Generous Words

"In his speech of welcome to 'us General de Gaulle recalled Hitler's words, that his system would last a thousands years. 'I do not know,' said General de Gaulle, 'what will remain of that system in a thousand years, but I do know that in a thousand years' time France, which has had 'some experience of blood, sweat and tears, will not have forgotten what has been accomplished in this war through blood, sweat and tears by the nohle British under the leadership of their. Prime Minister.'

"These are generous words, and they were uttered by a man who himself today is unquestionably inspiring unity in the French people. He has around him a band of young, vigorous colleagues who proved their worth in the ordeal through which France has passed." Mr Eden said there was no doubt that when time and opportunity offered the men of the F.F.I, would give as splendid an account of themselves against the Nazi foe in the field as they had already done in the_ bitter and bloody warfare in the interior of France itself.

Mental Suffering of People Speaking of the hardships the French were undergoing, Mr Eden said that life in Paris was a constant struggle with material difficulties. There was an almost total lack of fuel and transport. Worse than the physical hardships for the French people was the mental suffering they had undergone and were still undergoing. There were still over 2,500,000 French prisoners of war, political deportees and forced labourers in Germany. There was scarcely a family without a husband or son still in Germany. All parcels and letters had ceased; in fact, the deportees had never been allowed any communication with their families since they were taken away. "We could perhaps estimate what the absence of these men means to the French, not only in the loss of a great part of what is best in the nation's manhood, with all the social, economic and military consequences which follow, but also the mental distress for those who are left behind." said Mr Eden. "It is not surprising that in these conditions France, which after all these years has suddenly regained her freedom, should be like a man emerging from a darkened room into a blaze of light, dazed for a moment, but grateful still to his friends for a measure of understanding and encouragement. Member of Advisory Commission

"It is appropriate that her three great Allies have been able on this occasion to invite France to take-her place with them as a permanent member of the European Advisory Commission. The new situation thus created, and the, work that must flow from that, were' naturally discussed. Of these discussions I will say only that both the French Ministers and ourselves regarded them as eminently satisfactory. "I conclude with this confident message to the House. France's determination to work together with her Allies expresses the heartfelt wish of the French people, and it-is the will of the people, which is the only sure foundation for a foreign policy in a free land. "France will recover. Before now in her history she_ has shown powers of recuperation which have astounded the world. It is my belief that she will do this again. She can be assured that in her endeavour she will have the constant friendship, understanding and help of British peoples everywhere."

EX-PREMIER OF HOLLAND GERMANS ANNOUNCE DEATH LONDON, Nov. 14 The German news agency has announced the death of a former Prime Minister of Holland, Dr Hendrikus Colijn, at the age of 75. The Germans moved Dr Colijn to Germany after the capitulation of Holland because Jie refused to collaborate. He was later allowed to return to Holland.

Dr Hendrikus Colijn, noted Dutch economist, took part in his early life in military expeditions in the Dutch East Indies, where he later held administrative positions. Ho subsequently entered Dutch politics, and in 1911 became Minister of War. He held other ministerial offices until 1933, when ho became Prime Minister, a post which he held until 1937, later becoming Minister of General Affairs. He adopted a defiant attitude to the Nazi threat of domination in Holland*