WAR ZONE TOURED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20093, 13 November 1939, Page 7

WAR ZONE TOURED

PLANS DISCLOSED

DOMINION MINISTERS

ARMY LEADERS ME!

MR. FRASER’S MESSAGE

NEW ZEALAND LOYALTY

(isr-r. IVr. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 13, noon.) PARIS. Nov. 12.

Five Dominion Ministers arrived in Paris yesterday accompanied by the Dominions Minister, Mr. Anthony Eden, and Dominion army leaders and conferred with the French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, and the French Commander-in-Chicf, Marshal Gamelin, at the latter’s headquarters in a famous old chateau.

Marshal Gamelin, bending over maps showing the strength of the opposing armies, explained the military situation frankly and lucidly.

Tiie party visited tiie underground war room below headquarters, where work can be carried ont despite any attacks.

M. Daladier pointed out that tiie French Army was manning tiie defences in the neighbourhood of towns which were devastated in the last war and might again be devastated and again rebuilt. M, Daladier said that he expected that the enemy's attack would come soon.

Deeply Impressed

The Australian representative, Mr. R. G. Casey, interviewed by tiie Australian Associated Press, said he was deeply impressed with M. Daladier’s and Marshal Gamelin's confidence, calm, determination and absence of flamboyance. ITe was grateful for ■ their appreciation of Dominion mem- j bers’ part in the war. The party dined at tiie British Em- \ bassy, as the guests of Sir Ronald j Campbell, and met members-of the' French Cabinet.

The New Zealand delegate, Mr. P. Eraser, responding at the lunch, said: “Tiie youngest democracy sends a message of loyalty, unity and willing support. New Zealand stands with every member on a common front alongside France in her fight against oppression and barbarism.’’ Strengthening West Front The correspondent of the Australian Associated Press with the British Expeditionary Force in France says that Mr. Fraser, Mr. Casey and other Dominion Ministers explained to Lord Gort yesterday the steps the Dominion Governments were taking to strengthen the British forces on the Western Front.

Lord Gort, his chief of stall', General Pownall. and Air Vice-Marshal Blount described the strategical situation as seen through British eyes. The Dominion Ministers left Paris early in the morning, driving through the heaviest rain since the British Expeditionary Force arrived in France, for a tour across the old British battlefields. Their sleep was interrupted in the early hours of the morning by tiie wailing of an air-raid warning. The Dominion Ministers decided that the chances of the Hotel Crillon being hit were remote. Nevertheless, they went.to shelter. Importance of Singapore

The convoy of cars proceeding to the British headquarters did not stop during the air-raid alarm. Lord Gort was waiting on the steps. Mr. Eden introduced the visitors. It .cannot be disclosed what the Dominion Ministers revealed to Lord Gort., the Duke of Gloucester, and members of the staff. During an informal arm-chair talk. | Mr. Fraser spoke of the importance of Singapore to the defence of the Pacific. General Pownall lucidly explained the possibilities of an attack on the Allied line, leaving no doubt that the ; Allies were well able to deal with it.

The Dominion delegates to-day will visit the first and second army corps at the front line. Mr. Fraser on Friday had a long conversation with M. Jouhoux, leader of the French Labour movement, and also M. Blum. “They decided that the trade union movement must stand behind the Allied cause. The trade unions were always ready to declare for peace at any suitable time, but Hitlerism stands in the way,” said Mr. Fraser.