HUNGER & MISERY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1943, Page 4

HUNGER & MISERY

CONDITIONS IN FRANCE GROWING CHAOTIC. PEOPLE AWAITING DAY TO ARISE. An Englishman recently escaped from France has given a vivid picture of conditions in France today, in a recent issue of the “Daily Mail.” The French people know what is going on and are well informed about the Russian and other campaigns, thanks to the 8.8. C. and broadcasts from Russia and the United States. Repeated warnings to get away from the Channel coast do apparently have a depressing effect when no landings follow the warning. The Frenchman, the writer confirms, lives for the day when the Allied armies will appear in large numbers in Europe. Ninety-five per cent of the French are with us, he says. This is mere confirmation of what almost every person escaped from France has said. The other five per cent are those growing fat on German loot. Food is scarce. “I saw a goose sold for ten guineas,” he says, “a ham sold for 300 francs a kilogramme—roughly 17s 6d a lb. We lived on four ounces of meat and half a pound of bread a day. I have seen mothers in tears for bread. Supplies ran out at noon. Children went hungry, though mothers gave up the best part of their own ration to them. “People have no faith in the franc. Confidence has been lost in the banks, and people are getting rid of paper notes as quickly as possible, investing them in something more stable — gold watches, jewels—anything that they can hide away against the rainy days that lie ahead. “All over France, in the little quiet places, there are hide-outs for Jews fleeing from the persecution. While drunken Germans swagger about the towns, peasants hide, feed and clothe refugee Jews. The truth about the plight of the Jews in France has not yet been told, but I can say this: Petain’s star began to descend the day he allowed the Jew-baiters free rein.” Terrible as is the picture, the spirit of France is unbroken. Mt is sleeping, waiting, watching. The occupation has opened the country’s eyes. When the order is given the people will rise in their wrath and smite the persecutor.”