FULL CO-OPERATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 62, 16 March 1943, Page 5

FULL CO-OPERATION

OFFERED BY GIRAUD FOR FRANCE Recd. 6 p.m. London, March 14. An assurance that the right of the people of France to choose their provisional government would be fully safeguarded immediately France’s liberation was achieved was given by General Giraud in a speech at Algiers. He also announced the abrogation of the laws of racial discrimination and made a new appeal for a whole-heart-ed, effective union of all Frenchmen in France and outside.

General Giraud said the people of France had never accepted the armistice. They were fortified by the heroic resistance of the British people who, at that time, were fighting alone against the common enemy. The United States and England were putting forth their full effort in the war, and Russia was showing the world the greatest possible example of patriotism. "Be sure the French Army also knows how to fight,” he added.

General Giraud spoke of the difficulties to be faced in North Africa. “We shall set to work immediately to restore the situation In orderly fashion,” he said, adding that France would end the war as a victorious nation, so that when peace was freely discussed she would take her place in the discussion in full possession of hei overseas territory. Unity, he said, was essential and was a question of life or death for France. He was ready to co-operate with all those who accepted the fundamental traditional principles of France. General Giraud also announced the acceptance of the Atlantic Charter. He solemnly pledged that in all actions he regarded himself as a trustee under the laws of the republic.