CROSS OF LORRAINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1943, Page 5

CROSS OF LORRAINE

BOLD MANIFESTATIONS MADE IN MADAGASCAR. That the majority of the French' in Madagascar were sympathetic to General de Gaulle and anti-Vichy was amply shown. A speaker in a 8.8. C. programme told of many subtle as well as boldly defiant devices used there by those resisting the “new order.” The “Cross of Lorraine” —the symbol of liberation —was found everywhere. Such a cross, “one metre fifty high” was painted at each corner of the door of the Surete Generale. This had been done overnight. Much more daring was another night’s work. The people of Tananarive awoke to find upon the lawns of the Square Gallieni, an immense Cross of Lorraine —fifteen metres by ten. The authorities ordered the Kaolin to be rubbed out. Perhaps it was rubbed in. Anyway, the result was that the cross became incrusted in the turf. A new order was given: “Take up the Turf.” It was obeyed. Yet once .more the desired result was not achieved. The naked red earth formed the Lorraine Cross —most marked in the middle of the green sward. This became the subject of jibes and rejoicing throughout the town. Now authority’s blood was up. The Governor ordered the bare space to be filled in with fresh turf. But the new turf is a young, more delicate green. There is still the unmistakable impress of the Croix de Lorraine. It is, as the French inhabitants say, the youthfulness of the Cross of Lorraine which makes it ineffaceable.