The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-10
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NE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FRIDAY. JANUARY 10, 1871
TIE SPIRIT OF FRANCE


dead and will rise again at the
appointed hour" as Sir Philip
Gibbs. noted author ana war cor
respondent. declares, may be true.
At least the French seem 10 have
Adolf Hitler baffled. Strange
things happening N France must
be causing anxiety and rage in the
mind OF the Fuehrer
Action OF Chief OF State Marshal
Henri Philippe Petain in sending
part OF the French fleet TO Bizerte
and other points IN North africa
is a sign that this old man is show
ing an obstinacy and Independence
highly disp. casing TO Hitler VINO
thought he had France and the
French Empire at his mercy.
There is no doubt that Hitler real
ICES he must pay a high price 10
get the French fleet into his hands
and secure the collaboration or
France and the French colonies
against Britain, but the price may
be higher than he planned.
He has tried to bride the Nichy
government towards this end. Lon
don information states, by falling
to fulfil his promises TO Italy and
denying Premier Mussolini his
claims 10 Corsica. Tunis, Nice and
other places.
Former Vice.Premier Pierre
Laval was willing 10 make a deal
along these lines. But Petain has
a sense OF honor and perhaps also
an old mans craftiness which holds
out against any such action.
As long as he can keep the fleet
and the colonies. he has bargain
ing point which ma. prevent Hitler
from going too far.
The British victories in Libya
have had an exciting effect upon
French public opinion. The news
has spread like wildnre through
French North Africa. Arabs and
the French Colonial Legion have
recovered from the shock and des-
pair of the collapse in France and
now believe that with British aid
they can defeat Italy and keep
even Germany at bay.
They do not wish TO break with
the Vichy government from which
they obtain financia' support. They
do not declare themselves for Cen
eral Charles de Gaulle and his
Free Frenchmen" because that
would mean cutting themselves
adrift from France.
But there seems 10 be growing
resolution in these French African
colonies to refuse any surrender
of their independence as bargain
TO Hitler.
Charlie-as de Gaule's supporters
and devotion although some Of
them think he is no great diplomat.
They believe his cause is gaining
ground every day and every hour.
They declare that - per cent OF
the people in occupied France are
now probe Gaulle and pro-British.
That's a. reversal OF public opinion
as it was after the collapse Of
France when sentiment was anti
British and without hope
In occupied France. there is 10
resentment because the Royal Air
Force keeps bombing channel ports
The people there have come 10 be-
lieye II Il necessary for ultimate
liberation
One day this year the French
believe. Germany will begin 20
crack after some decisive British
action such a. defeat Of an. At
tempted Invasion. At that hour
there will. they say. be a rising
flame OF fury 10 France before
which the Germans viii retreat in
terror.
II will be revolutionary rising
and very herce. That is the hope
they have under de Gaulle's flag
which flies over tall house in
London.
Below the surface of French life,
in spite Of German y GLANCE. there
are signs that the spirit OF france
is not dead and viii rise again At
the appointed hour Whether there
will be sufficient strength to over.
come the forces OF Hitler il still
debatable