FRENCH WAITING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 65, 19 March 1943, Page 5

FRENCH WAITING

READY TO RISE ON DAY OF INVASION WARNING TO GUERRILLAS I Recd. 6.30 p.m. London, March 17. “France has her whole population ready to rise on the day of Allied landings. Let us hope the landings will not be too late. If so, the whole of the French youth will be sent to Germany or there will be more and more open revolt, which without support from outside cannot lead to anything.’* This is the view of M. Andre Philp, Fighting French Commissioner of the Interior and Labour. He added: “Thu French who are revolting in Savoy have no hope of success. The Fighting French are trying to organi.se passive resistance and. systematic sabotage rather than open revolt. We have to be sure that General Giraufl’s words will be followed by deeds, and that all who have held responsible executive posts in North Africa under the orders of the Germans will be replaced.”

Algiers radio to-day warned the Haute Savoie partisans to be patient. “It is not yet the hour for a genenal rising,” it said. “Your lives are too precious to be sacrificed prematurely. It is sufficient that you should be ready for the day when we will bring you effective aid.” A Daily Telegraph correspondent in Europe says the Vichy authorities claim that 70 per cent, of the partisans have surrendered, but all that can be said for certain is chat a few groups, each 20 to 50 strong, laid down their arms because they were without food and ammunition and agreed rather shamefacedly to go to Germany. Conflicting reports are circulating regarding the situation in Haut*' Savoie. The Geneva correspondent of The Times states that there is no news of the measures taken. Mobile guards are blocking off the mountains. but so far they have not been ordered to cake action against th» partisans. Morocco radio asserts that the inactivity is due to the attitude of the Mobile Guards, some of whom are being replaced by Italians and Germans. The radio adds that more than 500 men of the 27th. Regiment are among the resisters.

Fresh demonstrations occurred Lyon*; and Toulon against the r«j cruitment of workers, strikes breaking out in many factories.

The Tribune de Geneve reports that an atmosphere of terror and rebellion exists at Lyons. German troop* blockade the whole of the quarter.* which the Gestapo search from floor to floor. Similar measures are taker in shops and businesses, whence La bour conscripts are deported to Germany without the opportunity consulting families.

PATRIOTS SURRENDER

Reed. 11 p.m. London, March 18 According to the Swiss Tribune d-* Geneve, 100 French patriots in the mountains of Haute Savoie surrendered because of the ruthless arrests of local inhabitants who had been supplying them with food. The situation is now quiet. Algiers radio says the patriot forces are almost without food and ammunition.