INTERVIEW BEFORE RELEASE

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 5

INTERVIEW BEFORE RELEASE

Political Prisoners In ‘North Africa

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, February 22. According to messages from North Africa the Inter-Allied Commission, which is examining the question of the liberation of political prisoners in French internment camps, has appointed a special committee to interview prisoners and give them an opportunity to work at jobs they choose under the same conditions as French workers.

According to General Bergeret there are about 5000 prisoners remaining in Algerian and Moroccan camps, many of whom have been imprisoned for three years or longer. Over 3000 of the internees are Spaniards, who fled to France after the Civil War and were transferred to North Africa.

The general estimated that it will take two months for the committee to complete examinations and liberate the prisoners. Those who wish to join the French Foreign Legion may do so, and Frenchmen will be allowed to join the French Army. The latter choice applies also to 600 French Communists rounded up for sabotaging mobilization at the outbreak of the war. General Bergeret said that all de Gaullists had been freed and of 7000 persons interned when the Allies landed about 1100 foreigners and 200 French had been freed.