“VIVE LA FRANCE!”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 October 1940, Page 6

“VIVE LA FRANCE!”

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER’S BROADCAST TIES THAT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN FAITH IN ULTIMATE VICTORY. OVER HITLER AND HIS LITTLE ACCOMPLICE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, October 21. “Here in England, where we are now under the fire of the Boelie, we do not .forget the ties that bind us to France,” declared the Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill), broadcasting to the French people. ‘‘When the two great Allies were attacked by the common foe, he naturally did his utmost to divide and separate them, and if for the time events have played into the enemy’s hands, we must make the best of it. “The people of London, which Hitler has threatened to reduce to ashes and which Hitler’s aeroplanes are now bombing by day and night, are unflinching,” Mr Churchill declared. “Our Air Force has more than held its own. We are still waiting for the longpromised invasion. Now in 1940, as ever before and in spite of occasional losses, we still hold the command of the seas. In 1941 we are going to attain command of the air. Hitler, by his treacherous' fifth column intrigue, has managed to subjugate for the time being most of the finest peoples of Europe, with his little Italian accomplice faithfully at his side. These two ugly customers are both determined to carve up between them not only France, but the whole French Empire. Alsace-Lorraine will fall again under the German yoke. Nice, Savoy, Corsica —Napoleon’s Corsica —will all be torn from France, who, if they have their way, will be completely destroyed, just as they aim to reduce all Europe to one uniform Bocheland, to be exploited and subjugated by the familiar Nazi methods. “As for France, her Army, Air Force, Navy, traditions, literature, history, institutions, culture and art all are to be effaced by the brute strength of a triumphant army and by a scientific government of exploitation and plunder. Frenchmen, rearm your spirits before it is too late. Never will 1 believe that the soul of France is dead, her place among the greatest nations of the world lost for ever. Hitler’s crimes will assuredly bring him retribution, which many of us will live to see. We are on his track. So are our friends —your friends—across the Atlantic Ocean. He cannot destroy us. We will surely destroy him, all his gang and their works. Therefore, Frenchmen wherever they may be, must have hope and faith.” Britain asked of Frenchmen, said Mr Churchill, that even if they could not help at the present juncture they should not hinder. We trusted that Frenchmen would feel their hearts warmed when they heard of our successes in the air and at sea and presently, for that would certainly come, on land. We would never give in. The whole Empire was dedicated to saving Europe from new dark ages. We coveted nothing from any nation except its respect. Frenchmen, whether in the so-called unoccupied France or in the Empire, should do their utmost to further the common cause. Those in occupied France should Relieve firmly in the eventual restoration of their nation and their liberty. Mr Churchill concluded: “Vive La France!”