REUNION OF FRENCH

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1943, Page 3

REUNION OF FRENCH

Many Problems Yet

PEOPLE IN FRANCE. MUST HAVE THEIR SAY. LONDON, May 6. ‘‘The Times’s” Algiers correspondent savs: Mr MacMillan (British Minister of State) .and Mr Murphy (American Consul-General in North Africa) outlined the diplomatic position arising from the formation of the French Committee. They again emphasised that, up to the present, all of the meetings between the French leaders have been informal ones. They also said that it would be for the Allied Governments to decide. in the light of many precedents, what degree of recognition they would accord to th e new French Committee. It must be made clear, they said, that the meetings were between two de facto authorities without a juridical basis, who were trying to combine into one, which would be equally a de facto authority. Until the whole French people were able to express their will, by .constitutional and free channels, there would be no question of according de jure recognition to any French authority, while a free expression of opinion was denied to the peopie of France. Ffbuter’s Algiers correspondent points out: While military problems are the first consideration, the new French Government is faced with many economic matters affecting the administration of the large native population of French North Africa. On long-term problems the Government must consider, firstly, the orI ganisation of an administration on a sufficiently wide basis to include all sections that are working inside and outside of France for the liberation of the Motherland; secondly, the future life and organisation of the administration once Allied armies have set foot on France’s soil; thirdly, post-war claims and requirements of France and of the Empire. Reuter’s correspondent also states: ‘‘A vital problem is that of civil status and military status. A complete divorce between the two is demanded by France’s whole republican tradition. General Giraud, combining both civil and military authority in himself. found a compromise on this basic principle to be the best medium for the Government of French North Africa; but General De Gaulle’s Delegation has vigorously opposed this principle, even to the extent of declaring that thejr leader is acting in a civilian capacity, in spite of his military rank. General Massigli has informed the British and American Ministers’ at Algiers that the new French Committee pledged itself to help the Allies in their war effort against Japan.

LONDON. June 6

A meeting of the Fighting French (General De Gaulle’s” followers), in Algeria was held to-day, according to a' press correspondent, and was described by the Algiers radio as “tne first big political manifestation since the restoration of renubliean liberties in North Africa.” and as the first nublic appearance of the Fighting French since they become legal. M. Andre Philip addressed the’, congress. He -said Frenchmen must reconquer liberty themselves in fraternal friendship with their Allies. It was their task to restore democracy and freedom to France. Now that, the democracies had. built up such a superiority, victory was certain. NEW CALEDONIAN GOVERNOR. LONDON. June 6. The Algiers radio announced that General De Gaulle authorised Montchamp. Governor-General of New Caledonia, to relinquish his post and join a Fighting French service unit.