HAPPY PROSPECTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1943, Page 4

HAPPY PROSPECTS

OF FRENCH AGREEMENT & UNITY GENERAL DE GAULLE WELCOMED IN ALGIERS. INTENSIFIED WAR EFFORT PLANNED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, May 30. The arrival of General de Gaulle in North Africa and the happy prospect of French national unity which this portends have caused much rejoicing in Algiers. A large crowd flocked to the streets and the city's big square singing the Marseillaise this afternoon, when General de Gaulle placed a wreath on the Wai’ Memorial, says an agency message.

The Algiers radio has announced the arrival in Algiers, following on his escape from France, of General Alphonse Georges, formerly General Gamelin’s second in command. General Georges declared himself at the disposal of his old friend and comrade, General Giraud.

General de Gaulle, in a statement in Algiers, .said:—“lt is not only our desire, but our firmest wish to achieve here the unity of the French Empire, in order to carry on the Avar. The empire hopes and expects that unity will be achieved immediately. A' central French power will have to decide what should be done in the interests of the war effort. This body should consist only of men materially and morally capable of leading Frenchmen in this conflict, in the interests of the Allies as well as of Frenchmen. I am sure agreement can easily be reached on these three points.” The first conference between Generals Giraud and de Gaulle will be at 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.

IDENTITY OF VIEW

DISCLOSED BY GENERAL GIRAUD. SOLE DESIRE FOR UNITY OF FORCES. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. In a statement after welcoming General de Gaulle, General Giraud revealed that an “identity of view” had previously been established. The statement read: “Conversations held during the last few days between the French National Committee in London and the French High Command in Algiers have shown that agreement has been reached. It is therefore in an atmosphere devoid of political partisanship, and with a sole desire for the unity of our forces, that General de Gaulle and I are meeting.”

General de Gaulle arrived in Algiers in a plane named “Paris,’’ with the Cross of Lorraine painted on the fuselage. General de Gaulle was the first to step out of the plane, and after saluting General Giraud, heartily shook hands with him.

An Algiers message says many high military and civilian officials will lose their jobs. The Brazzaville radio states that General Giraud holds the resignations of M. Peyrouton and Generals Boisson and Nogues.