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The Waikato Times TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1940 FRENCH OPINION CHANGING

Evidence is coming from many quarters that the attitude of Frenchmen towards Britain lias undergone a great change in the past few months. Spanish newspapers declare there have been serious riots in Paris as a demonstration against German oppression. A Spanish correspondent claims that the French do not want collaboration with the Nazis, and that the Vichy Government carries little weight. Again there is the evidence of the crews of two large French ships sent to Britain to repatriate French soldiers and sailors. Half ot' the ships’ complement decided to remain in Britain and join General de Gaulle’s forces. Opinion gathered in the United States also suggests that France has “ turned a complete about-face.” Now that the shock of the French collapse is subsiding, Frenchmen are able to see events in their proper perspective. When the great disaster came they were inclined to believe the German propaganda that “ Britain would fight to the last drop of Frenchmen’s blood.” They knew that Britain was not giving all the assistance that they expected, but they did not grasp the reasons. Britain was gravely misunderstood, and there is no question that at the time of the French collapse feeling was decidedly hostile to Britain. German propaganda which had been working for years with the objective of driving a wedge between the Allies had succeeded to a greater extent than either Britain or France was prepared to admit. Germany must have known that her tactics were gaining ground; she kept up the pressure so consistently. Frenchmen were probably astonished that Britain also did not go down before the Nazi blitzkrieg. When they saw that the defence was holding, the French probably asked themselves why it was so, and came to the conclusion that they had grossly misjudged Britain. They have seen the Germans held up at the Channel, and now they see Britain struggling manfully, aided by the United States, to reach a position of such strength that the great campaign for the liberation of Europe can be undertaken. If France is not sympathetic towards the German plans for the future of Europe, Britain’s heroic stand must compel admiration, and eventually sympathy and support. The point of outstanding importance in this connection is that France herself must play a vital part in the liberation of her ov** people and her neighbours from the German oppression. By adopting the Nazi plan France could certainly delay and hamper Britain in her great task; by remaining faithful to the ideal of ««*tonal freedom she can prepare on the continent of Europe a V ase rom which the relieving army can operate. Frenchmen mu c( une day armed and must accept a share in the task tb*\t -aow falls upon Britain alone. Therefore the trend of thought action in both occupied and unoccupied France is of partic ,,,dr interest to the British people. If they are still Britain’s aIFe 5 in sentiment the French people will yet find themselves in a portion to render great service to the cause of freedom.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19401126.2.24

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
513

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1940 FRENCH OPINION CHANGING Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 4

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1940 FRENCH OPINION CHANGING Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 4

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