FRENCH UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

FRENCH UNITY

GENERALS IN CONFERENCE REJOICING IN ALGIERS RUGBY. May 30. The arrival of General de Gaulle in North' Africa and the happy prospect of French national unity which this portends have caused much rejoiciftg in Algiers. A large crowd docked the streets and the city’s big square singing the “ Marseillaise ” this afternoon when General de Gaulle placed a wreath on the war memorial, says an agency message. The Algiers radio announced the arrival in Algiers, following his escape from France, of General Alphonse Georges, formerly General Gamelin’s second in command. General Georges declared himself at the disposal of his old friend and comrade, General Giraud. General de Gaulle, in a statement in Algiers, said: “It is not only our desire, but our firmest wish, to achieve here unity of the French Empire in order to carry on the war. The em-

pire hopes and expects that unity will be achieved immediately. A central French power will have to decide what should be done in the interests of the war effort. This body should consist only of men materially and morally capable of leading Frenchmen in this conflict in the interests of the Allies as' well as Frenchmen. 1 am sure agreement can be easily reached on these three points.” The first conference between General Giraud and General de Gaulle will take place at 9.30 a.m. to-morrow. In a statement after welcoming General de Gaulle, General Giraud revealed “ the identity of view ” previously established. The statement read: “The conversations held m the last few days between the French National Committee in London and the French High Command in Algiers have shown that agreement has been reached. It is therefore in an atmospere devoid of political partisanship and with the sole desire of uniting our forces that General de Gaulle and I are meeting.” General de Gaulle arrived in Algiers in a plane named “Paris” with the Cross of Lorraine painted on the fuselage. General de Gaulle was the first to step out of the plane and, after saluting General Giraud, heartily shook hands with him. An Algiers message says that many high military and civilian officials will lose their jobs. The Brazzaville radio states that General Giraud holds the resignations of M. Peyrouten, M. Boisson, and,General Nogues.