France Must Have Positive Guarantees

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 1, 2 January 1940, Page 7

France Must Have Positive Guarantees

DALADIER ’ S RINGING CHALLENGE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Monday, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 29. "This Franco-Britisli union is open to all, but I state categorically that without material and positive guarantees Franco will not lay down her arms," declared M. Daladier in the Senate in the course of a speech punctuated with wild cheering. "Just as I distrust grand theoretical conceptions so I prefer material guarantees against the return of events such as those from which we are suffering. So, too, I conceive that tho new Europe should have a far wider organisation. It will bo necessary to extend intercourse and perhaps envisage federal ties between Europe’s States. We arc ready to co-operate with all pursuing our aims. "All attempts to divide England and France, such as German propaganda lies, will not affect our solidarity. "Our effort is unprecedented. Wo demand an enormous accumulation of might and force. Aviation comes first in the latest credits. The manufacture of tanks and material for the troops, especially artillery, is also important. . "Provision is also being made for the continuance of the construction of throe 35,000-ton vessels since the mastery of the sea is crucial as the course of the war is proving. Tkore may have been gaps and delays in our programme, but it has enabled the erection of a ramport of steel along our involiato territory. "Britain has agreed to conscription, also to unity of command. Now come trdops from Canada and airmen from Australia. Nothing can stop this movement which responds to the profound stirring of the British conscience. The British Air Force has proved its superiority in material technique, our airmen are responsible for legendary exploits and our Navy’s efficiency should be emphasised without false modesty. We have destroyed nine Üboats and stopped 300,000 tons of merchandise.

"We are able to count on the power not only of France’s population but the immense resources of tho British and French Empires. Neither England nor France is ruled by national egotism." M. Daladier paid tribute to the forces whose one determination i 3 "to finish with tho rule of force which for two years has weighed upon Europe, and also to finish with tho policy of rapine and preying. It is for France we are fighting. Had we remained passive an assault would have been launched against us within a few months as the Yellow Book shows." British and French community of economic action would have an incalculable effect upon the war’s conduct. •Sacrifices must bo demanded of everyone. The soldiers were offering their lives and for this reason the nation could not refuse to sacrifice its gold. The Senate unanimously approved the military Budget for the first quarter of 1940. "This unanimity proves France’s letermination to pursue the war to the very end," declared M. Reynaud, French Finance Minister, when, meeting in the small hours, Parliament finally passed the 1940 civil Budget. Face Sacrifices and Duties Confidently M. Giraudoux, in a New Year broadcast to Britain, said: "The French face their sacrifices and duties in the new year confidently. We have chosen Britain as our ally against aggression for her moral and material strength. The closeness of family bonds uniting us in singleness of purpose will lead to ultimate victory." Audacity and Mastery or Air Air Marshall Vmilemiu, in a message to Chief Air Marshal Newall, said: ‘ ‘ The French Air Force send their best wishes to their comrades in the R.A.F. The audacity and mastery of the air they have constantly displayed makes them worth inheritors of the noblest traditions of British heroism. Thanks to their courage and brotherly confidence, we look to the future with confidence that our just cause will triumph. ’ ’ Tho R.A.F. reciprocated. Britain’s Instinct Was Right LONDON, Dec. 20. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, in a New Year message to his constituents, said: "Everything that has happened since tho war was forced upon us, including tho monstrous invasion of Finland, shows that the country’s instinct was right. There is something in the sjnrit of free men and women which was not dreamt of in Nazi philosophy and which is bound to prevail."