The Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1942 BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 60, 12 March 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1942 BRITAIN AND FRANCE

WHILE it could not be averred with justification that the French people are willing to collaborate with the Germans in working lor an Axis victory, the fact remains that munitions and war equipment are being manufactured inside France, The workers so employed have the ®ni alternative, of working for I heir own permanent enslavement or of starving. Their position is similar to that of the Mahdi’s prisoners at Khartoum, to whom were assigned the task of building their own prison. Men placed in such a position are to be sympathised with, and none dare criticise them who has not already proved himself capable of withstanding trie strain which such a situation imposes. Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan, however, must be regarded as deliberate and conscious collaborators with the Germans. That they have a considerable following among the citizens of France goes without saying. That such people will learn too late, as did ihe German steel magnate Thyssen, that the support of Nazism is no passport to protection from the voracity of this modern bioloch will not prevent them encouraging Petain and Darlan to tread their downward path to the abyss. Further aid to Germany and the furthering of the enslavement of Europe can, therefore, be expected to be fashioned on the soil of France. The British are justified in taking a realistic view of the 1 situation in France and in prosecuting all available avenues for circumventing the enemy’s plans. This involves the bombing of munition factories, the destruction of railways and canals and other public utilities. These operations cannot be carried out with- ; out inllieting casualties upon the French people. This is their great misfortune, but the loss of civilian life resulting from the i British raids upon Fratme is likely to lie very much smaller than would Im the loss of life of Allied soldiers wore the Fri nch-iimde 1 munitions and equipment permitted to How unimpeded into enemy hands. That Darlan and Petain will ixploil for propaganda purposes the loss of life resulting from flic British raids and that the measure of misunderstanding of Britain’s aims and policy will lie greatly increased must be accepted, beeaiisi there is no wav of adequately countering il. .\erertheless, it is difficult in believe I that the realistic Gallic mind eau be wholly iiiciipable of perceiv- 1 mg' that the British operations over Fraiiee are not undertaken from choice, but of necessity, and of a necessity which knows , no law. i M. Andre Diethelm. Xatiomd ('ommissioner for the Interior. I.aboi;' and Information of the Free l-'reneh National (.'omiiiiltec. is responsible j’or the information that widows of workmen k'illed during an R.A.F. linmliardiueiil in X<>rl hi rn France next day attended the funeral of the crew of a British bomber that had been brought down by the Germans. ‘’German propaganda is spreading the report iliat the population of France is outraged at the R.A.F. bombardments. It happened to me often, before I was able to leave France a very short time ago, Hint 1 had first-hand in forma I ion from compatriots wlm had witnessed British bombardments. The mianimous fei ling is one of satisfaction, and if any regret is expressed it is that fluvisits oi British aeroplanes are not more frequent. I'lvervwheiv that British aeroplanes lly low enough Io he seen my compatriots manifest their joy. waving their arms and handkerchiefs and at ' night making the V sign with lights. British aviators. I'urtlu r more, lake every possible-care to spare the civilian population. If : a mi-fort line h.-ipnmis the l-Tcm-h bear il with di-'nilv”