BACK IN THE WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1942, Page 4

BACK IN THE WAR

WHOLE OF THE FRENCH EMPIRE Except Indo-China IDECLARATIONS BY GENERAL DE GAULLE AND OTHERS APPEALS TO FIGHTING MEN AND 'MERCHANT SEAMEN. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) , (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 11. ‘ ‘ Seize the few hours which remain—come, if you can, and ioin those fighting- beside the Allies,” said General de Gaulle, broadcasting to France. Officers, N.C.O’s., soldiers, sailors and airmen, hurry to join the Fighting French forces. Bring your ships, planes and arms. Do not leave them for the enemy. Victory is certain to come! Join in it!” An Anglo-American spokesman broadcast an appeal to French merchant seamen in the Mediterranean to proceed to Algiers or Gibraltar, or if unable to do so to scuttle their ships. A warning to the French people against a premature rising was broadcast by a Fighting French spokesman. “The invader should be ignored and met with silence. The occupation of Southern France means that the Vichy Government is dead, added the spokesman. “The only vestige left will be some official carrying out German orders. The most important result vail be the uniting of France and the awakening of the people in the Vichy zone to active resistance, similar to 95 per cent of the population of the occupied zone. Except for Indo-China, the French Empire is now all back in the war. Hitler s action will make the aim of the Fighting French National Committee easier tc achieve. The time has come for the assembly of a Government on French African soil, composed of Frenchmen who have resisted the Nazis during the last two years. Messages from North Africa report General Eisenhower as saying that General Giraud undoubtedly will establish some form of French Government for North Africa. . . . . . ‘‘General Giraud is regarded as a capable administrator and a great soldier, with wide popular support m France, savs the New York “Herald-Tribune,” pointing out that neither the American nor the British Government has ever recognised General de Gaulle’s London committee as a Government. Washington’s view is that the French people should choose a Government when they are able to express their own opinion. „ The North American Newspaper Alliance writer Pertmax says General Giraud escaped from France last Saturday disguised as an old lady, accompanied by a young and attractive woman. He eluded the Vichy police and the Gestapo. . Admiral Darlan was caught at the bedside of his son, Lieutenant Alain Darlan, who is seriously ill in the Algiers Military Hospital. Admiral Darlan was seized by French officers sympathetic to General Giraud, who handed him over to the American authorities.