FORMER GOVERNOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24407, 19 September 1940, Page 6

FORMER GOVERNOR

.APPEAL TO FRENCHMEN/ POSITION IN INDO-CHINA (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Sept'. 17. (Received Sept. 18, at 7.30, p.th.) General Catroux, former Governor of Indo-China, who has rallied to the cause of General de Gaulle, stated to-night that the fact that he was in London was the best proof that he fully adhered to the Free France movement and to co-opera-tion with Britain.' He added: “J address to all Frenchmen, wherever they are in the world, a most pressing appeal to join the movement. Indo-China, the same as the entire French r Empire, will be saved , only by the resurrection of France and victory for Britain. Each new proof of British resistance amplifies the movement in France and the French colonies towards all those who have at heart the cause of the free French forces.”' ‘ General Catroux, after referring to the negotiations with the Japanese, especially with regard ■ to the products of that country, said he was sure that Indo-China fully understood that maintenance of the agreement with Britain was most necessary. This was why he took the decision to safeguard Indo-China, ~ not in. the name of the Petain Government, but for France;; - Hopes Pinaed- on England Am Englishm an I who was interviewed pn the French frontier after his escape: from France said: “Anti-* British feeling in occupied France has disappeared, and everyone is pinning his of her hopes on England. Many soldiers in unoccupied France significantly have not been demobilised, and those who were demobilised were allowed to take their equipment home. Britons of mili- ' tary age are confined to their homes, and many have been interned. A number of British soldiers are living hunted lives, in the greatest misery, trying to find means to escape from France. Unoccupied France is approaching starvation point, as the Germans have removed the entire potato crops, and all stocks of butter, soap and sugar, all of which are unobtainable. The Germans send lorries to Marseilles and remove cargoes from incoming ships.”

NON-AGGRESSION PACT FRANCE AND. THAILAND fevt T'ju VICHY, Sept. 17. (Received Sept. 18. at Xl. plm.) The conclusion of a non-aggression pact between France and Thailand is announced. It provides for arbitration of Siamese claims to Mekong River islands. France refused to consider the cession of other territories.