NATIONAL DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1943, Page 3

NATIONAL DAY

OBSERVED LN FRANCE CELEBRATIONS IN ALGIERS & LONDON. DECLARATION BY GENERAL DE GAULLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, July 14. Frenchmen throughout the world today celebrated their national day, the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Thousands gathered in London at the statue of Marshal Foch, where a wreath was laid on behalf of General de Gaulle. Representatives of all the Allied Governments attended a review of French troops and airmen, at Wei lington Barracks, at which the salute was taken by Air General S’Astaire la Vigere, whose appointment as commander of the French forces in Britain was announced today. The troops marched past the Foch monument. Tonight, the French people will indulge in the customary street dancing outside the French Club. For the first time since 1939, France observed the day as a national holiday, reports . the Berne correspondent of,the Associated Press of Great Britain. No morning newspapers were published and stores closed, but because of national circumstances no official ceremony was held. The day was celebrated in Algiers with patriotic enthusiasm for the first time since the outbreak of the war. General de Gaulle took the salute at the military parade, which was followed by 'a huge representation of civilians, and the whole assembly was addressed by •representatives of political parties. General de Gaulle affirmed that all France was behind Britain, the United States, Russia and the other allies in fighting the Axis to the bitter end. He appealed to Frenchmen to unite not only to win the war but also’for the reconstruction of France. A correspondent, says that President Roosevelts Bastille Day message gives some of the background of the Stale Department's attitude. The authority of the Government rests in the people, and in the people alone, he said, French sovereignty rests in the people of France, who for the moment are shattered. IL is only when they have been freed that they can choose a Government.

General Giraud is to visit this country on his way back from the United States to French North Africa. STALIN’S MESSAGE LIBERATION NEAR AT HAND. RONDON, July 15. M. Stalin, in a message to the French National Committee of Liberation and Generals Giraud and de Gaulle, on the occasion of the French national day, said; “The Soviet Union greets the strengthening unity of the French people who are courageously fighting against the German and Fascist invaders. The Soviet people firmly believe that the clay of our common victory over Hitlerite Germany, the day of the liberation and resurrection of a free, democratic and independent France is near at hand.”