FRENCH SECURITY

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22513, 23 November 1944, Page 5

FRENCH SECURITY

OUTLINE BY DE GAULLE EQUAL RIGHTS WANTED CRITICISM OF ITALY /United Press assh. —Elec. Tel. CopyrigrDt. (Received Nov. 23, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22 “France is prepared to fight for everything taken from her in the Far East,” General de Gaulle told the Consultative Assembly after giving a warning that the settlement of the German problem is a question of life or death for France. First the German question must be settled on the banks of the Rhine. The elementary demand for the security of France, Belgium, Holland and even Britain depends on that. The question of the security of the eastern borders of France is closely linked with the Mediterranean Basin, therefore France cannot enter into negotiations with Italy until it is settled. “We consider that the battles fought in the common interest give us the rfght to participate in the decisions which will be made regarding the administration of occupied German territory and the organisation of the future of Germany, also the fixing of frontiers and the arranging of disarmament. Security Guarantees “We are faithful to the principle whereby each nation has the right to freedom on condition that it does not interfere with the freedom of others. It is for the victorious Powers to create international organisations in which each nation will find economic and security guarantees. It must be an international organisation in which the strongest Powers will assume direction of the international system. “France has the right to be one of these Powers. Her re-constituted unity enables her to contribute to the maintenance of the peace of the world. France, however, cannot be bound by decisions involving Europe and the world unless she has been in a position to deliberate under the same conditions as the nations making the decisions.” General de Gaulle said that after the fate of Germany was settled France hoped to see European unity born as a result of the action of the three great centres—Moscow, London and Paris.

France hoped for a sincere reconciliation with Italy, but must guard against a repetition of the harmful action of Italy to France. This did not mean that Italy’s development should be prevented. FRENCH GENERAL KILLED JEEP IN FLOODED DITCH (Received Nov. 23, 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 22 General Brosset, formerly General De Gaulle’s assistant Chief of Staff, was driving a jeep on the Belfort front which skidded into a flooded ditch when General Brosset was trying to avoid a mine crater. General Brosset was probably killed instantly, but the body was swept away and was not recovered. A staff officer and a chauffeur accompanying General Brosset were injured. General Brosset served in the French Army in the last war. He joined General de Gaulle in London in 1941 and was sentenced to death in his absence. He commanded the Second Brigade in General Koenig’s Division last year and led the division later in Italy and in the landings in the south of France. He was the first to enter Lyons and took a large part in the preparations for the Belfort campaign. PUPPET GOVERNMENT FORMER MEN OF VICHY LONDON, Nov. 22 Most reliable reports reaching Paris state that Petain, Laval and other prominent members of the former Vichy Government have formed a puppet Government in the Southern German city of Sigmaringen, says the British United Press correspondent in Paris. The seat of government is Sigmaringen Castle, over which the Germans allow Petain to fly the Tricolour. Petain holds audiences every day and periodically reviews his bodyguard of French Waffen S.S., who are wearing German uniforms with a Tricolour patch. The shadow Government consists of! such leading Vichy war criminals as Deat, Darnand, Doriot, Debrinnon and a handful of collaborationist officials who fled with Petain. They have their own newspaper, edited by Jean Luchaire, former publisher of Les Nouveaux Temps, assisted by Marcel Deat, former editor of L’Oeuvre. The notorious Paris radio commentator Jean Paquis continues his daily broadcasts, beginning: “Here is France.” M. CAILLAUX DEAD FORMER FRENCH PREMIER (Received Nov. 23, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22 The Paris radio announced death at Lemans of the former French Premier, M. Joseph Caillaux, aged 81 years.