WOMEN OF FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24326, 17 June 1940, Page 9

WOMEN OF FRANCE

PART IN NATIONAL DEFENCE TRIBUTE FROM QUEEN AN INSPIRING MESSAGE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' LONDON, June 14. Her Majesty the Queen, broadcasting to the women of France, in French, said: “ I share your suffering to-day and I feel it. Ever present in my thoughts are the beautiful summer days when Paris adorned herself with all her charms to receive the King and Queen of England. I then felt the heart of the women of France beating close to mine. t “ In these sad days 1 wish to sav just this: Their sorrows are our sorrows. We know that the bearing of the French women in this war is as noble as the men’s. A nation defended by such men and loved by such women must sooner or later attain victory. Such a nation deserves the unqualified support of all peoples throughout the world. I believe , wholeheartedly that after these bad days the time will come when our two peoples' will, by endurance and hard work, have made good the armaments deficiencies and will be able to say to each other. ‘ Maintenant ca va.’ "To tlie women of France —of heroic and glorious France which is defending at this moment not only her own soil but the liberty of the whole, world —I wish to express to-night the feeling of affection and admiration which their suffering, and courage awakes in our hearts. “We pay tribute to the leaders and soldiers of the French Army who are fighting with an energy and tenacity which has never been equalled in history, but we are thinking also of the French women who are following with heartfelt suspense the course of this immense battle in which their sons, husbands and brothers are engaged.” Her Majesty referred to her visits to French soldiers in hospitals in Britain after the evacuation of Dunkirk and to their courage and cheerfulness. '“To each of them,” her Majesty said, “I spoke in French, and all of them, even the most seriously wounded, answered cheerfully.