FORCES UNITED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 3

FORCES UNITED

FRENCH EMPIRE DIRECTION OF WAR LIBERATION BODY JOINT PRESIDENTS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright,.) (British Official Wireless.) (11 a.m.) RUGBY, June 3. "A French Committee of National Liberation has been constituted," .siates the Algiers radio, quoting a special communique issued after discussions to-day between General Giraud and General de Gaulle. “The committee,” the communique continues, “at present consists of seven—General Giraud, General do Gaulle, presidents, and General Georges, General Catroux, and M. Massiegly, M. Andre Philip, M. Jean Monnet. Two other members will be elected later. "General Catroux has been appointed Governor-General ol' Algeria and Commissioner for the co-ordination of Moslem Affairs. "General Bourquet lias been appointed commander of the air forces m North and West Africa in place of General Meneral Mendigal who has been relieved of his command. "The Committee of National Liberr.lion is - the central French authority. I! directs the French war effort in all forms everywhere. It assumes the care for the defence of all French interests in the world. 11. assumes power over all territories outside the power of the enemy and over all land, sea and air forces which so far have been placed under the French National Committee or civilian and military administration of General Giraud. All measures necessary to bring about a fusion of these two bodies will be taken immediately. Collaboration With Allies “In accordance with the letters exchanged between General Giraud and General de Gaulle, the committee will place its powers in the hands of a provisional Government which will be constituted according to the laws of the Republic as soon as the liberation of metropolitan France permits and, at latest, when the total liberation of France is achieved. The committee will nursue, in close colloboralion with all the Allies, the common struggle for the complete liberation or Prance and Allied territories until final victory over all the enemy Powers is won. The committee has solemnly undertaken to restore all French liberties, the laws of the Republic, and the republican regime by entirely destroying the regime of arbitrary and personal power which tc-day has been imposed in France. “The committee calls upon all Frenchmen to follow it in order that. France may, through the struggle to victory, once more regain her liberty, greatness and traditional place among the great Allied nations, and that at the peace negotiations she may be able to make her contribution to the counsels of the United Nations which will determine the conditions in Europe and the world after the war. De Gaulle Popular It is understood that French troops in Algiers have been confined to barracks for fear of demonstrations by sections unfavourable to General de Gaulle, says the Algiers correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The streets around the hotel whore an official lunch was given to General de Gaulle yesterday were cordoned off and the police carefully inspected the guests’ credentials. The correspondent adds: “General de Gaulle gives the impression of confidence in his ability to win a campaign for popular support. The population is widely partisan, although beyond doubt 'the younger section favours General de Gaulle. If something in the nature of an election campaign or open manoeuvring for popularity can be justified in wartime, undoubtedly General de Gaulle holds the strongest cards.” The Times’ correspondent in Algiers describes the circumstances surrounding the resignation of M. Peyrouton, Governor of Algeria, as an ugly piece of mischief-making. “It is not. yet certain who was responsible nor is it apparent how the situation will be clarified,” adds the correspondent. It is officially announced in Algiers that General de Gaulle, General Giraud and other members of the French Central Executive Committee will meet to-day.