FOOD FOR FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21373, 18 March 1941, Page 6

FOOD FOR FRANCE

HELP FROM AMERICA BRITAIN’S PERMISSION j SMALL BREAD RATION i! j (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright' , (Received March 18, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 17 | Caston Henry Ha ye, French ■ Ambassador, after a conference with j Mr Roosevelt today, predicted that j a large quantity of American food ! soon will begin flowing to unoccupied France through the medium of the American Red Cross. He said: “Our needs are beyond imagination,” and he indicated his belief that the British have agreed to permit relief. M. Haye added: “I suppose the President has received British agreement, because he and the Administration are careful not to do anything about the rules of the British blockade. We are expecting the greatest tonnage possible, although it is impossible to say how much this might be.” M. Haye said he agreed with the Fresident that in order that none should be suspicious all kinds of controls should be arranged regarding the arrival, unloading and distribution of the food. The Ambassador said France’s main need now is wheat, as the bread ration is diminishing every day and the danger to health grows ; worse. M. Haye said: “The feeding of France is not altogether a matter ot charity. We are not only asking for gifts. We simply want to use our frozen funds or a small part of them to buy food.” M. Haye concluded: “I am very thankful to the President, who has I shown a great human sense and the keenest viewpoint. I express thanks in the name of the children and women of France.” The American ship Exmouth sailed today for Marseilles, loaded to capacity with powdered and evaporated milk and other food and clothing for children in unoccupied France. j The cargo, which included medij cal supplies valued at 1,250,000 doii lars, w T as supplied by the American Red Cross. Hitler’s Pressure On Vichy Admiral Darlan’s amazing declaration that the Germans have proved more generous and more humanitarian than the British is not only a travesty of the truth but further proof of Hitler’s strong pressure on Vichy, says the Times’ French correspondent. The Germans control all foodstuffs reaching France, exacting 25 per cent. They have also seized pigs, animal fats and 70 per cent- of the crops. The alleged generosity of the Germans regarding potatoes is only a blind to deceive public opinion. The Germans commandeer 75 per cent of the stocks of potatoes, which goes to Germany. Ten per cent is then released ostensibly to save France from alleged starvation. Miners in occupied France yesterday struck for a larger ration. Germans in occupied France receive the same ration card as the French, but the French receive one while the Germans get three. BALKAN TENSION YUGOSLAVIA PREPARES NAZI REQUEST REFUSED FIRM STAND URGED U nited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 16 Military preparations in Yugoslavia continue on a grand scale, and it is estimated that two-thirds of the front line troops have now been called up. Morale is excellent. Troops are everywhere on the march, and the skies are full of aeroplanes. The army is requisitioning more and more buildings. According to the Daily Telegraph’s Belgrade correspondent, Germany has three times made representations to Yugoslavia seeking her co-operation in the “ new order,” but Yugoslavia has merely offered to exclude “ foreign influences ” and sign a non-ag-gression pact, which Germany has refused. The Belgrade correspondent of the American Associated Press says large numbers of German troops are reported to be moving up to the RussoRumanian frontier, the defence of which Germany a few weeks ago entrusted to Rumanian troops. Newspapers in Yugoslavia continue to press for a firm stand in defence of Yugoslavian neutrality. One states that Yugoslavia intends to preserve her attitude of strict neutrality which she has adopted so far. She is resolved to defend herself against any possible attack wherever it may come from. Neither threats nor promises, it continued, will turn her from this resolve. The German High Command yesterday stated that the march of German troops into Bulgaria continues according to plan. GALLANT AIRMAN NEW ZEALANDER HONOURED | I MEDAL OF THE 0.8. E. (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-m, (Received March 18, 3.15 p.m.) * LONDON, March 17 The Medal of the Order of the British Empire has been awarded to Sergeant Thomas Richard Read, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.