FRENCH EMPIRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1941, Page 9

FRENCH EMPIRE

ALLEGATION BY VICHY MINISTER

BOGUS CHARGES AGAINST BRITAIN.

COLONIES AS BARGAINING COUNTERS.

• By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright VICHY. Januarv 9.

The Minister of Colonies. Admiral Platon, in an interview, said: "Our policy consists of defending the Empire against all comers." He added that the colonies in which rebellion had occurred were all situated in the 'midst of the British Empire. Wherever Britain had encouraged rebellion it had triumphed over the loyalty of the French colonists and natives only after vigorous resistance.

"Britain, in seeking to disintegrate the French Colonial Empire in Africa, desired to safeguard and control the air routes of Central Africa." the Minister said. "In spite of Britain’s assurances that she will return these territories to France. I am convinced that she wishes to appropriate our colonies in order to use them for bargaining counters if a compromise peace is offered to her.

"Britain hopes to spread the rebellion by her blockade policy, but the French Empire replies with perfect loyalty and solidarity with the motherland. The Petain Government desires not merely to stem the rebel movement but to overcome it."

UNQUALIFIED DENIAL MR CHURCHILL’S PLEDGE RECALLED. ■ British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 9. The report from Vichy that Admiral Platon stated that he personally was convinced that Britain was seeking to use the French colonies as bargaining weapons at the end of the war is regretted in authoritative circles here, where it is regarded as an unfortunate repetition of a deliberate lino of propaganda which the Germany have been fostering for the last six months.

So rife were these statements in October last that Mr Churchill warned the French nation against them in a broadcast address and added: “We do not covet anything from any nation except their respect." A pledge so emphatic can be safely relied on as a complete answer to any revival of this German propaganda.