FRENCH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 5

FRENCH EMPIRE

PLANS FOR DEFENCE ACTIVITIES AT VICHY RETURN OF WEYGAND vUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 10 The first official statement about the position in the French North African colonies since General Weygand’s visit to France has been issued by Vichy. French forces alone, it is announced, will be permitted to defend the French African empire. This defence will be energetically carried out against any aggressor. The Toulouse radio emphasised the importance of the announcement. The Vice-Premier, Admiral Darlan, gave a private luncheon to General Weygand. It was also attended by the Minister for War, the Minister for Air and the Minister for Colonies. A conference followed the luncheon, when the problems of the French African empire were examined. The defence of the empire will be made in conformity with the policy laid down by Marshal Petain and within the framework of the armistice terms. General Weygand, it is reported, will probably leave for Africa again today. Free French Forces Many agents engaged in smuggling Frenchmen for the Free French forces cut of France have been arrested, and one has been shot, says the Vichy correspondent of the New York Times. The correspondent says that the Vichy Government’s decision to prevent Frenchmen of military age crossing from the occupied to the unoccupied zone resulted in the discovery of an extensive and wellorganised system of recruiting volunteers for the Free French forces. Recruits were first sent to the unoccupied area, then smuggled out of the country, principally from Mediterranean ports. The public, says the correspondent, became aware of the existence of the organisation when four young men from Nancy were enrolled in the de Gaulle army; but they were caught and sentenced to several years’ imprisonment. The German authorities intervened and ordered the death penalty, but notable persons in Nancy, headed by the bishop, strenuously objected, and the death sentences were commuted. RAID ON ISLAND RETALIATION BY GERMANS SEVERAL PEOPLE SHOT STORY BY EYE-WITNESS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 10 The Germans, in accordance with their decree, landed troops at Svolvor, one of the Lofoten Islands raided by the British, and burned down 50 houses and arrested 100 people for helping Britain, says a message from Stockholm. Several people were shot. Members of the Norwegian Government met the patriots who returned to England with the British forces. An official said it was a scene of great emotion. Fathers met sons; brothers met brothers. All sang the Norwegian national anthem, “I Love This Land,” and the Royal anthem, “God Bless Our King.” Then all drank to victory for Norway and for the Allies. An eye-witness of the raid said: “Great columns of smoke and flame rose against the snow-clad mountains as units of the Home Fleet steamed away from Svolvor, after destroying the island’s four principal fishing ports, fish-oil factories, a power station, and all the oil storage tanks. “Our ships were on Hitler’s back doorstep, 80 miles up the fiords leading to Narvik, for hours, but no attempt was made to interfere with them. We sank 11 ships, totalling 18,000 tons. Hand-picked, speciallytrained British troops, with Norwegian naval ratings as guides, took part in the landing. “We arrived shortly before dawn and split up for various objectives. Troops, armed with sub-machine-guns and other weapons, embarked in lifeboats. Then a ship led the boats to the shore and the troops landed before anyone had time to discover what was happening. Destruction of Factories “My group of troops, within ten minutes of landing, took control of the telegraph station, post office and police office. Then they turned their attention to cod-liver oil factories and fish factories and destroyed six of them. They also destroyed three petrol storage tanks, one of which went up in flames. “The rattle of automatics and explosives did not signify resistance. They were merely part of the wrecking. Other landing parties, in the j meantime, also had been busy. Ex- | plosions, intermittent gunfire, and I clouds of smoke told of their efforts. One party sank a 10,000-ton floating | fish-oil factory, from which most of the prisoners came. | “Members of the party also discovered what apparently were preparations for building a naval air i station. They captured 17 men of the German Air Force. “Extraordinary scenes occurred , after the British subdued the Gerj mans. Crowds of Norwegians, cheer- ; ing lustily, swarmed to the boats. Sailors shouted: 'Any more for England?’ and 'Nice day for a sail, lady.’ | They hauled aboard men and women ; with their dearest possession bundled :cm their backs. Many fishermen I brought their wives. I “We had barely left the scene when | a large German aeroplane appeared. ■ Fire from the warships drove it off I before it could aim a single bomb. ■ We brought back the English munai ger uf the factory*”