CHANGED OPINION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21820, 25 November 1940, Page 5

CHANGED OPINION

French Admiration For Britain By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 24. 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 23. Whatever may have been the feeling of the French people towards Britain a few months ago and certainly it then was far from cordial, there is abundant evidence that a very different atmosphere now prevails. The shock of defeat being absorbed, the gallant French race is rapidly regaining its normal poise and reacting in a way only to be expected against what has been done in its name by the Vichy Government. Reports from neutrals who recently left France, as well as those of French subjects, agree in showing that there is a determination not to co-operate with the Nazi conquerors and an all but universal desire to see Britain victorious. According to the “New York Daily News,” the 19-year-old son of the United States Vice-Consul in Paris, who recently arrived in America, stated in an interview that the French population had “done a complete about face.” They were cutting telephone lines, blocking railways and reducing production in factories which make goods for Germany. Dolores Venettl, a French actress, who was a passenger in the same liner, said: "Anti-British feeling is now changed to one of great admiration for the British.” She added that French officers were increasingly accepting General de Gaulle as leader in the care of France. Many young Frenchmen were endeavouring to join the British or Free French forces but the regulations imposed by the German masters made escape very' difficult. Armistice Day Riots The Paris correspondent of the Spanish newspaper “Arriba” reveals for the first time in the Spanish press that riots broke out on Armistice Day in the centre of Paris. He adds that the French people do not want collaboration with Germany and expresses the opinion that scores of people, including Marshal Petain and M. Laval, who are striving for collaboration, do not carry much weight. The correspondent points out that the statesmen accepting collaboration must enjoy full authority. Repeated incidents in Paris demonstrate that Marshal Petain does not enjoy national unity. Goering reached a similar conclusion after meeting M. Laval. Almost the whole of the French people live solely for the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts. Tne correspondent vouches for the fact that Hitler :e--clined a victory parade after the entry of the German troops because he was convinced that after the defeat of Britain the French would spontaneously and vociferously express their gratitude.