FRENCH EMPIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 308, 31 December 1942, Page 5

FRENCH EMPIRE

HOPES OF UNIFICATION BROADCASTS RESUMED IN . EUROPE Rugby, Dec. 29. M. Andre Philip, Fighting French National Commissioner for the Interior and Labour, announced over the 8.8. C. European service to-night that the broadcasts would be resumed nightly by the Fighting French spokesmen. The broadcasts had been interrupted by the unsatisfactory position in North Africa. This had now been modified, and it was a fact, said M. Philip, that possibilities had been opened for collaboration and eventually union among all authentic elements of French resistance. “The Allied landing in North Africa opens a new page in the history of our nation,” said M. Philip. “The French Empire can to-day be reconstituted, and thanks to the empire, France will be able to play a primary role in the Mediterranean war. The door is open for us to resume our role in the world. This participation in the Allied war effort is France’s participation. Generals de Gaulle and Giraud are not feudal chiefs bringing territories which belong to them or troops personally faithful to them; they are, as we all are, servants of a single French nation. We therefore are seeking to achieve real unity among authentic elements of resistance. There must be a single administration, shared by all the various metropolitan or colonial territories which have been liberated or have rallied. This unity must be brought about on the only visible legal basis, that of republican legality. There cannot be admitted into this union—without causing the most cruel disillusionment in the nation—men who collaborated with the enemy, who have adopted our enemies’ ideology and who seek to-day, or will seek tomorrow, to save their jobs by flying without risk to the side of victory. Unity must be achieved among real patriots, whatever their political or social origin.”—B.O.W. JUIN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN NORTH AFRICA London, Dec. 29. It is officially announced that General Juin has been appointed Com-mander-in-Chief of the French forces in North Africa in succession to General Giraud. COMPLETE CONFIDENCE (Recd. 9.30 p.m.) London, Dec. 29. Interviewed at the advanced headquarters of the French Army, General Juin expressed complete confidence in the co-operation of the Allied forces from whom the French had already received equipment, and more was promised. General Juin added that the Allied air support had been magnificent. ROOSEVELT WELCOMES . MISSION Washington, Dec. 29. President Roosevelt has received General Bethouart and M. Dubreuil. members of the French mission representing General Giraud. Two members of the mission also conferred with Admiral Leahy. Asked to comment on General de Gaulle’s plea for unification of the French forces, M. Bethouart said everything that favoured French unity would be received with pleasure. “We have only one idea and that is unifying ourselves to liberate our country.” he said. “Everything ought to be subordinated to conquering Germany.” He added that General Giraud was in complete agreement with General de Gaulle in the objective of reoccupying France and defeating Germany.

Rugby, Dec. 29.