REUNION OF FRENCH

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1943, Page 5

REUNION OF FRENCH

DE GAULLE AT ALGIERS Conference with Giraud [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, May 30. General de Gaulle arrived in Algiers this morning by air in a plane named “Paris” with the Cross of Lorraine painted on the fuselage. General de Gaulle was the first to step out of the plane and after saluting General Giraud heartily shook hands with him. The Algiers radio states that General Giraud was waiting on the airfield to meet bim.

In a statement after welcoming General de Gaulle, General Giraud revealed “an .identity of view” previously established. The statement read: “The! conversations held in the last few days between the French National Committee in London and the French* High Command at Algiers have shown an agreement was reached. It is therefore in an atmosphere devoid of political partisanship, find with the sole desire for unity of "our forces, that General de Gaulle and I are meeting. It is not only our desire but our firmest wish to achieve here the unity of the French Empire in order to carry on the war. The Empire hopes and expects unity to be achieved immediately. A central French power will have to decide what should be done in the interests of the war effort. This body should consist only of men materially and morally capable of leading. Frenchmen in this conflict. in the Interests of the Allies, as well as Frenchmen. lam sure an agreement can! easily be reached on these three points.” The first conference between General Giraud and General de Gaulle will be at 9.30 a.m. to-morrow. The arrival of General de Gaulle in North Africa and the happy prospect of French national unity, which this portends, caused much rejoicing in Algiers. A large crowd flocked the streets, and the city’s big square, singing “The Marseillaise,” this afternoon, when General de Gaulle placed a wreath on the war memorial.

An Algiers message says that many high military and civilian officials will lose their jobs. The Brazzaville radio states that Giraud holds Peyrouton’s, Boisson’s and Nogues’s resignations. Vichy radio announced ihat the French squadron commanded by Admiral Godefroy, which has been immobilised at Alexandria since the 1940 armistice, has gone over to the French, forces fighting with the Allies. Quoting an official announcement from Vichy the Berlin radio said the Frenchi fleet gave in to British and American pressure. The Algiers radio announced the arrival at Algiers, following his escape from France, o£ General Alphonse Georges, formerly Gamelin’s second in command. He declared himself at the disposal of his old friend and comrade, Giraud.