ONE & INDIVISIBLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1942, Page 2

ONE & INDIVISIBLE

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC BROADCAST BY DE GAULLE. V ASSISTANCE OF GIRAUD ’ WELCOMED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, December 28. General de Gaulle, in a broadcast to the French people tonight, welcomed the assistance of General Giraud, to whose military qualities he paid a warm tribute. He emphasised that France would remain one and indivisible, and said France had always wanted to win the war at the side of the Allies for the liberty and security of the world. The French, he declared, had intended to continue the fight .with the fleet, merchant navy and financial assets, but those who were opposed to the sovereignty of the people had profited by the disorder of defeat in the homeland to take command for a time. That was only an episode, which did not change the national will, and today it was known that the great mass of the French people approved and uphold those fighting against the Axis. The National Committee had been able to assemble, little ,by little, a great part of the Empire and important military forces to resist the enemy. It had also been able to secure from a great' number 'of foreign Powers guarantees concerning the integrity and independence of France. France had never been out of the war and now General Giraud had begun to draw into the combat the troops of North Africa, who had already obtained great successes. The union of the whole nation in war was not only desired but would soon be realisable. A Washington message states that an endorsement of General Giraud’s selection is contained in a statement by the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull), who commented that General Giraud was a most fortunate choice and he was sure it would receive enthusiastic commendation.