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Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21203, 28 August 1940, Page 5

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FIGHT FOR BRITAIN IN EQUATORIAL AFRICA STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE (UnlUd Pratg Attn.— El#c. Tal. Copyright} (Received August 28, 11 a.m.) LONDON, August 27 It was announced by General de Gaulle in London last night that a French colony in Equatorial Africa, with a large strategic territory and over 1,000,000 inhabitants, had decided to join the French Free Forces and fight by the side of the British Empire. This colony laid down arms on the signing of the peace with Germany but the Governor, in a proclamation, states that the Germans are forcing France to be more than non-combatants and the people have decided to fight for freedom. General de Gaulle, broadcasting, stated that the Governor of the Chad Territory has announced that the territory . refuses to accept capitulation and will fight on the side of Britain. Colonel Marchand, commanding the troops in the Chad Territory, has also signed this declaration. The Chad Territory’s decision is considered as of the greatest importance, as the territory comprises 460,000 square miles on the borders of Libya and the Sudan and is the key to Equatorial Africa. Other French possessions in Africa are expected to follow this example. Mr Churchill’s Assurance After the Chad Territory’s declaration Mr Winston Churchill assured General de Gaulle that economic assistance comparable with that granted to British colonies will be extended to all French overseas territories loyal to the Allies until an independent constitutional authority is re-established on French soil. Colonel’s Mission Colonel de Larimat, former Chief of Staff of the French Army in the Middle East, has left London on a mission, after receiving instructions lrom General de Gaulle. FOOD ON CONTINENT SEIZURE BY NAZIS OCCUPIED AREAS’ PLIGHT COMPARISON OF RATIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 26 How much better the German, fare than the peoples who have had to succumb to Nazi “ protection ” i, illustrated by details which have recently reached competent British official quarters from a reliable source. These show that the bread ration in Germany is 51b per week, compared with 4ilb in the Netherlands, 3 1 -31 b in Belgium, and 2jib' in the protectorates. The German butter and margarine ration is 9oz a week, whereas the Danish is 40z,. and in the protectorates consumers are only allowed sJoz of all fats. In Poland all foodstuffs are much more drastically rationed than in Germany, but the German population enjoys preferential treatment. In general the particulars available show clearly that the longer a territory has been under the Nazi heel, the more drastic are the cuts in its rations, and the more forcibly are Its people compelled to reduce their living standards for the benefit of the German consumer. Territories Exploited A despatch from Copenhagen, appearing in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet on August 21, throws additional light on the way in which the conquered territories are exploited. The correspondent comments on the extraordinary circumstance that Denmark, of all the Scandinavian countries, the richest in sugar and a country which exported sugar largely, is suddenly without sugar. Last year Denmark had a record crop, 20 per cent in excess of normal. Where has the sugar suddenly gone? The correspondent has given a sly twist to the apparently naive answer to his question which discretion no doubt impelled him to make. It is possible, he says, that the Danish Government is making a secret store for trading abroad.

RUMANIA AND HUNGARY FUTURE OF TRANSYLVANIA RESUMPTION OF TALKS FRIENDSHIP FOR AXIS (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 26 It is officially stated from Budapest that a Rumanian delegation is arriving on Wednesday to continue talks with representatives of Hungary regarding the future of Transylvania. It is reported from Berlin that the Yugoslav Cabinet issued the following communique after a meeting at Angram: “The Government’s policy is the maintenance of peace and of honest and friendly political and economic relations with our neighbours. especially with Germany and Italy, friendship with these Powers conform. with Yugoslavia’* vital interests.”