DISCONTENT GROWS IN FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21513, 30 August 1941, Page 6

DISCONTENT GROWS IN FRANCE

The shooting of Pierre Laval and Marcel Deat signals the beginning, or the startling development, of the wave of violence which has been predicted for France ever since the country’s betrayal into the hands of the enemy. Two of the most prominent traitors are among the early victims. France’s only hope of escaping one of the darkest periods in her history is prompt rescue by the Allies from German domination. The tragedy is that the millions of Frenchmen who hate the Nazi regime can do so little beyond violent sabotage to free themselves from the yoke. Even in that they are hampered by the incubus of Vichy. Neutral sources as well as such news as seeps through the French censorship suggest that a wave of unrest has seized the country. Anti-German demonstrations have increased suddenly. Thousands of arrests have been made. But no system of repression can put down the moral revolt of a whole nation. The Vichy Government may obey German demands for closer control of the population. Germany herself may step in and employ Gestapo methods, but the spirit of the real France will not easily be crushed. This unrest has become the “ central problem in French internal politics.” It is not improbable that soon Germany will wish to occupy the whole of France if she can spare the men from the many other parts of Europe where repression is becoming a difficult task. It is notable that in the minds of the Vichy clique and the Germans, all those who are not in sympathy with the Nazis have become “ Communists.” Even Iran, according to Nazi propaganda, has been “delivered by Britain into the hands of the Communists.”, It was another matter, of course, when Germany claimed an alliance with Russia. Every Frenchman who would fight for the freedom of his country is a “ Communist! ” Germany has a new hobby horse and will ride it vigorously. France’s troubles are coming thick and fast. Petain has practically handed his authority to Darlan; currency inflation, coupled with a shortage of food, is making living conditions intolerable; “ black markets ” are growing daily. These troubles alone would breed discontent, but when Nazi brutality is added the breaking point must be reached. From individual resentment France is passing to organised opposition and violence.