FRENCH UNITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 5

FRENCH UNITY

CONCRETE EXPRESSION GIRAUD PREPARED-TO MEET DE GAULLE (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Recd. 6 p.m. London, March 15. General Giraud to-night sent a message which was broadcast oVer Algiers radio to Generau Catroax, General de Gaulle’s representative, expressing a readiness to meet General de Gaulle. The message said: “Yesterday I made a point of expressing publicly the principles on which my conduct is based. Let there, therefore, be no misunderstanding between us. I have already assured General de Gaulle of my desire for an agreement. The moment for a union ot all Frenchmen of goodwill has come and I am ready to receive General de Gaulle to give this union concrete form.’'

M. Bergeret has handed in his resignation, which General Giraud has accepted, says an Algiers message. M. Jean Rigaud has also resigned. Bergeret, who was assistant high commissioner in North Africa, had been criticised for pro-Vichy sentiments. Rigaud, his political adviser, allegedly obstructed a union with the de Gaullists. Their removal leaves only General Nogues among those most criticised for Axis and Vichy leanings. Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, March 15 Satisfaction is expressed in the Press of Britain with the precise implications and general tenor of General Giraud’s Algiers speech, delivered the day after General de Gaulle had issued his six-point plan for French unity. The two statements, says The Times, with continued goodwill and reasonable luck should have a helpful influence in attempts to unite all French patriots. In a statement on General Giraud’s broadcast, General de Gaulle stated to-day: “We note with satisfaction that the declarations mark in manyrespects great progress towards the doctrine of Fighting France as defined and upheld in June, 1940, and again expressed in the memorandum of the national committee on February 23. Countless testimonies which reached us from France prove that this doctrine is passionately approved by an immense majority of our oppressed nation. The national committee now hope to see the declarations of General Giraud speedily translated into acts. In any case, I repeat, as we have often affirmed, that we are ready to study on the spot between Frenchmen ways and means of an effective union of the Empire so imperiously demanded by the interests of France at war.”—B.O.W.