White House news release.
In connection with current military operations in French
North Africa, the President has broadcasted by radio to the French people,
the following message in French:
My friends, who suffer day and night, under the crushing
yoke of the Nazis,
I speak to you as one who was with your Army and Navy in France in 1918.
I have held all my life the deepest friendship for the French people-for
the entire French people. I retain and cherish the friendship of hundreds
of French people in France and outside of France. I know your farms,
your villages, and your cities. I know your soldiers, professors, and
workmen. I know what a precious heritage of the French people are your
homes, your culture, and the principles of democracy in France. I salute
again and reiterate my faith in Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. No
two Nations exist which are more united by historic and mutually friendly
ties than the people of France and the United States. u
Americans, with the assistance of the United Nations,
are striving for their own safe future as well as the restoration of
the ideals, the liberties, and the democracy of all those who have lived
under the Tricolor.
We come among you to repulse the cruel invaders who
would remove forever your rights of self-government, your rights to
religious freedom, and your rights to live your own lives in peace and
security.
We come among you solely to defeat and rout your enemies.
Have faith in our words. We do not want to cause you any harm.
We assure you that once the menace of Germany and Italy
is removed from you, we shall quit your territory at once.
I am appealing to your realism, to your self-interest
and national ideals.
Do not obstruct, I beg of you, this great purpose.
Help us where you are able, my friends, and we shall
see again the glorious day when liberty and peace shall reign again
on earth.
Vive la France eternelle!