UNREST IN FRANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 7

UNREST IN FRANCE.

NATIONAL’ PRIDE REVIVING. LONDON, Sept. 2. A revival of the spirit of independence mid of pride in nationality lately has been observed in both occupied and unoccupied France, where seemingly the people are emerging from a kind of nightmare, which iollowed the shattering news of the capitulation to Germany. A special correspondent of the Daily Mail, writing from Spain after spending 10 days in occupied France, says that, despite German propaganda, the French nation remains anti-German and pro-British. He cpiotes the following observations by an American newspaper correspondent: “Paris is marvellous, though it is too sad for me to stay in. Sec how Parisians are standing up to the invader with calm, quiet dignity. Nightly they gather in each other’s houses, with doors and windows closed, to listen to the 8.8. C. Their only pleasure is to hear the exploits of your wonderful Air Force. None of them believes the German figures.” TRICOLOURS IN PARIS.

Outward demonstrations of loyalty are beginning to iollow the tone and model sot by the Czechs—quiet but seemingly spontaneous gestures emphasising national solidarity, of which che latest manifestation was an outburst of tricolour ribbons or blue, white, and red flowers worn by Parisians. The Germans promptly instructed the controlled French newspapers to discourage the practice and, as a result, La France au Travail obediently described the demonstration as being in the worst possible taste. It may be only a coincidence that this demonstration coincided with the visit of the Vice-Premier of France (M. Laval) to Paris, to confer with Herr Otto Abetz, who collaborates with the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop). At any rate, it is plain to French experts that, as the politically-consci-ous and politically-educated French public awaken from their’ daze, they are beginning to sort out political manoeuvres and alignments, in which M. Laval cuts an increasingly sorry figure. What cynical, realistic French observers are now awaiting is some open manifestation of M. Laval’s own misgivings about the possibility of having backed the -wrong horse.. In other words; they await the “ratting” of M. Laval “and other patriots” in the Retain Government, which probably' will take the form of a temporary retirement to allow less astute and less experienced politicians like the Foreign Minister, M. Baudouin, to take perhaps greater risks of being wrong, until it is seen which way the cat is jumping.