BE ON GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1942, Page 4

BE ON GUARD

WARNING IN PARIS LETTER. CONDITIONS UNDER NAZI RULE. A letter written in Paris on September 20. gives a warning that no effort must be neglected to keep the Nazis from Britain’s shores and to do everything we can in factory or elsewhere to provide the means for bringing about the utter defeat of Naziism. The letter was broadcast by the 8.8. C. Here is the letter: — “If you saw Paris you would not know it any more. The pressure has been tightening steadily from month to month. Since the beginning of August it has become awful. Every 200 yards there are posters in red, black and white announcing that such-and-such a person has been shot by the German authorities, or promising a million francs reward to anyone giving information about sabotage, or warning the population that anyone arrested for any reason since August 23, 1941, will be held as hostage and shot should any attempt be made by the population against any German.

“A deep gloom hangs over, the city. The streets are empty after 8 p.m. No one dares to speak in the streets or the underground railway. The food question, too, is growing acute. In August, in spite of the coupons, we were able to get meat (90 grammes, or just over three ounces per head) only once. The potato ration, the rice and macaroni rations, were suppressed as a reprisal, and the Halles, or Central Markets, were closed several days on. end, so there was nothing to buy in the retail shops. Of course, people who go to Fouquet’s and Maxim’s, where the Germans eat, and spend 300 francs for a meal can have what they like. Wine is rationed to one litre (1J pints) no eggs at all, not a drop of milk in. the house since August 16, over a month.

“In spite of this, morale is holding up quite well. In fact it is ;higher now than it was earlier. The Russian resistance and the very noticeable depression among the German troops have brought hopes nearer. It is as though the whole population was awakening from a stinging blow. Everywhere there is resistance. The harder the measures are made the more the people stand up against them all. Arrests are taking place all the time, but no matter. Tell everyone around you. I am so glad I can give you this news. “Personally, I am all right, with 10 kilos (221b5.) less, but rather pleased about it, since my life ambition was to be thin and tall. I have become engaged to be married, but will marry —God knows when. He is first-rate, just out aftei’ 13 months jail. They have taken everything away from him since he still refuses to work for the Germans. He is as broke as I am, but that is nothing. I only hope we shall be able to marry before we are shot or too old.” ’*