Canal for twenty years, till such time as Egypt could build up a force sufficiently powerful to take over such duties; this Treaty also accorded the British, as the Ally of Egypt, the use of Alexandria and Port Said as naval bases; and, as such, further permitted her to move troops over Egyptian territory in the event of war or threat of war. Military service is compulsory between the ages of 19 and 27 with recruits called to colors on a large scale in the expansion of the Army. The strength of the Army (1937-1938) was 22,560. The Air Force consists of 67 planes but is being expanded to 500 by 1944. The Defense Council decided (1938) to build a fleet of 36 units, a cruiser, minelayers, minesweepers and submarines. The King of Egypt is Faruk I (born Feb. 11, 1920), son of the late King Fuad I and Queen Nazli. He succeeded his father (April 28, 1936), married (Jan. 20, 1938) Farida Zulfikar, daughter of Yussuf Pasha Zulfikar and granddaughter of Mohamed Pasha Said, Prime Minister 1910-14 and in 1919. A daughter (born Nov. 17, 1938) was christened Ferial. A second daughter was born (April 7, 1940) and named Fawzia. The Constitution of 1923 provides for a Parliament composed of a Senate (Maglis al Shuyukh) and a Chamber of Deputies (Maglis al Nwwab). Two-fifths of the Senators are appointed by the King, the remainder elected directly by the people, as are the Deputies. The Premier is Hussein Sirry Pasha. The monetary unit is the English pound, The budget (1940-1941) estimated revenue at 47.718,000 pounds and expenditures at 45,818.000. The principal imports are textiles, mineral, chemical and pharmaceutical products; wood and cork articles: paper; metals; machinery and motor vehicles. Exports are chiefly agricultural products and cotton. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a city of exquisite conglomerate charm, whose streets resound to the ring of three civilizations. Hundreds of mosques attract the eye of the tourist. Excursions are conducted to the Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza and the ruins of ancient Memphis, and the monuments at Luxor and Karnak. Ethiopia (ABYSSINIA: AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA) Capital, Addis Ababa-Area, 350,000 square miles-Population (1939, estimated) 10,000,000 natives, not counting Amhara tribes Ethiopia (or Abyssinia) is a mountainous volcanic country in northeast Africa, bounded by Eritrea (Italian), French Somaliland and British Somaliland on the northeast, Italian Somaliland on the southeast, Kenya Colony (British) on the south, and the Anglo-Egyptian Soudan on the west. The agricultural and mineral resources of the country are comparatively undeveloped, and its wealth of water power is unused. Cattle, sheep and goats are bred. Horses are small but sturdy and are widely used as polo ponies; mules and donkeys are raised. Cotton, sugar-cane, date palm and coffee are extensively cultivated. The coffee is of three types-Harari (long berry Mocha), Jimma and Sidamo. There is also a wild berry known as Abyssinian coffee. Other important products are hides and skins, wax, barley, millet (dhurra), wheat, gesho (which serves as a substitute for hops) and tobacco. Rubber trees are numerous. Iron is manufactured into spears, knives and hatchets. Gold, coal, copper, sulphur and potash salts are also found. The Franco-Ethiopian railroad (487 miles long, connecting Jibuti and Addis Ababa) carries the bulk of produce from the interior to the coast, although many caravan routes are still widely traveled. The principal exports are hides and skins (cattle, goat, sheep, leopard and monkey), coffee, grain, wax, civet and native butter. Chief imports are salt (from French Somaliland and Sudan), gray sheetings and other cotton piece-goods (from England, India, Japan, and Italy), cotton yarns (from England, India, Japan, Italy, France); building materials, petrol and kerosene (from England, the United States and Soviet Russia); sugar, glass, soap. Mahommedanism is still the prevailing religion although many Ethiopians adhere to the Coptic branch of Christianity. Moslems predominate in Harrar; Christians in Addis Ababa. The Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria has been the supreme head of the church since the diffusion of Christianity in the fourth century, appointing the Abuna, or head bishop of Ethiopia, but the Italian Viceroy (Dec. 1, 1937) decreed the Coptic Church in Abyssinia autocephalous and appointed the Albuna, three metropolitans and three bishops for the whole of Italian East Africa. German scientists describe the Abyssinians as "a mixed Hamito-Semitic people," and other ethnologists assert that the "true Abyssinian type contains no Negro blood whatever and none of the Negro qualities, either physical or mental." The royal family claims descent from Menelik, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Ethiopia sought membership in the League of Nations (1923). After an investigation into the existence of slavery in the kingdom and the promulgation of a decree (June, 1923) making slave trading punishable by death, the country was admitted to the League (Sept. 28, 1923). Italy conquered Ethiopia in a war which began over a border clash (Dec., 1934), and was waged until Addis Ababa was captured (May 5, 1936). The Emperor, Haile Selassie, who had succeeded the late Empress Waizeru Zauditu (April 2, 1930), and his son, the Crown Prince, Asfaon Wosan, fled the capital (May 2, 1936). Premier Mussolini (May 9, 1936) in Rome, proclaimed the country as annexed to Italy, and added the title of Emperor of Ethiopia to King Emanuel III A Royal Decree (June 1, 1936) established the colony of Italian East Africa, comprising Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, with headquarters in Addis Ababa. Haile Selassie was returned to his throne (May, 1941) after British forces had occupied Ethiopia. After annexation Italy launched a vast colonization program for the country, including the building of modern motor roads and the improvement of the agricultural resources. Courts are under the jurisdiction of Italian offcials but native chiefs still administer justice when the sole litigants are Abyssinians. The Italian lira is the official currency. The budget (1939-1940) balanced at 2,183,000,000 lire. Finland (SUOMEN TASAVALTA) Capital, Helsinki-Area, 131,588 square miles-Population (1938), 3,863,753 Finland formed part of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1154 to 1809. when it became an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. It declared its independence (Dec. 6, 1917), established With German intervention, the "Reds" were defeated and driven back into Russia in two battles a Provisional Government, and became a republic (1919). Finland is bounded on the north by Norway, on the east by Russia, on the south by the Gulf of Finland, and on the west by the Gulf of Bothnia, Sweden and Norway. Finland ceded to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the close of the Finnish -Soviet war 16,173 square miles of territory. All this territory was regained (1941) in the war between Germany and Russia, Finland fighting with the Axis powers. Finland, after the downfall of the Czar, had representative government restored to her by a Provisional Government. Following the Bolshevist coup d'etat the Diet and Senate (Dec. 6, 1917) proclaimed the independence of the republic. Civil war between the "Reds" and "Whites" followed. (April, 1918) and the German troops went home in December of that year. The Finnish Diet re solved (July 17, 1917) to establish a republic, and a peace treaty acknowledging the independence of Finland was signed with Russia at Dorpat (Oct. 14, 1920). The lake and canal waterways are navigable for 3,000 miles. Notable are the mighty Imatra rapids of the river Vuokski, having in a channel about 25 yards wide, an aggregate fall of about 72 ft. in a distance of 1,400 yards and a volume (the greatest in Europe) of between 480 and 700 cubic metres per second, discharging ultimately into Lake Ladoga. Although extending far north into extremely cold latitudes, with rugged climate and topography, Finland is an agricultural country. Lumber is the most important industry. The principal crops are rye, barley, oats, potatoes and hay. Other chief industries in the order of their importance arepaper and pulp; iron and mechanical works; textiles; leather, rubber and fur; and chemicals. Imports are mostly metals and metal goods; machinery; minerals and earths; textiles; colonial produce and spices; oils, fats, and waxes; means of transport; cereals; spinning materials. Exports, in order of their value, are pulp and paper; timber and manufactures of wood; food obtained from animals; metals and metal goods; leather, hides, furs; minerals, ores, and products from same; yarn and ropes; matches, ammunition, and other explosives; machinery; resins and tars; textiles. The cooperative system has worked throughout Finland for nearly 40 years with marked success. There are (1939) more than 7,000 cooperatives with a total membership exceeding 900,000 and they handle about 25% of the retail trade and 40% of the wholesale. Universal military service prevails from 17 years to 60. Males reaching 21 are summoned to service for a period of approximately a year for training. The conscript then remains in the first reserve until 40 years old. The second reserve is comprised of those between the ages of 40 and 60, conscripts who are considered unfit for active service and youths between 17 and 21, not yet enrolled as conscripts. There is also an Air Force and a Coast Defense. The Civic Guards, approximately 100,000, also are a part of the national defense. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state religion, although there is absolutely free worship. There are three universities-one in Helsingfors and two in Turku. The President is chosen for six years by an Electoral College of 300 chosen by direct vote; he appoints the Cabinet. The President is Risto Ryti, who was elected (1940) after the resignation of Kyosti Kallio. In the general election (July, 1939) the Government coalition bloc, composed of Laborites, Agrarians and Liberals, increased its majority in the Diet from 143 to 149. Of the opposition parties the Conservatives gained three seats while the Swedish party, representing the minority population, lost three. Fascists and Nazis operating in the Patriotic National League lost seven of their 14 seats. The voting system is devised for proportional representation. The monetary unit is the mark with an average value of $.02. The budget (1940) produced revenue of 5,109,594 marks, and expenditures were 5,105,595. France Capital, Paris-(War) Vichy-Area, 212,659 square miles-Population (1936), 39,302,511 France, once a republic, no longer exists as such in the sense of the constitutional laws (1875). It is now designated the French State and is in a transitional period, between armistice and peace. and its definite regime has not been adopted. The Constitutional Law (July 10, 1940) provides specifically that a Constitution must be drawn and ratified by the nation. However, it has been declared officially in France that nothing definite can be done along these lines until normal conditions are restored and peace signed. the Adour, in the extreme southwest corner, is Bayonne with its neighboring seaside resort of Biarritz. On the Mediterranean coast, which on the west is low, with lagoons and sand dunes, there is no great port till the mouths of the Rhone are passed and Marseilles, the second city of the country, is reached. Beyond is the great naval base, Toulon, and from there by Nice and Monaco to the Italian frontier and beyond runs the beautiful Riviera-the Cote d'Azur. A single political party to assist in the reform of the nation and the establishment of a new regime was created (Aug. 31, 1941) by Chief of State Marshal Petain. He announced that membership in the French Legion from the Veterans of Two Wars had been extended to include all those who volunteer their services for the National Revolution. The name of the party is French Legion of War Veterans and Volunteers of the National Revolution. Belgium and Luxemburg are its neighbors on the north. On the east Germany lies beyond the Rhine, the boundary: the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva separate it from Switzerland, and the Graian Alps and the Maritime Alps from Italy. On the south is the Mediterranean Sea and Spain, with the Pyrennes for the boundary line. On the west lie the Bay of Biscay and the North Atlantic Ocean, and on the north again the English Channel and the Straits of Dover separate it from England. From north to south its length is about 600 miles, and from the western extremity near Brest to Strasbourg on the Rhine it is about 560 miles wide. The coastline on the north is 700 miles long; along the Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay, 865; on the Mediterranean 384 miles. It has the highest mountain in Europe west of the Caucasus, Mont Blanc (15,781 ft.). On the French side of the Pyrenees are several peaks exceeding 10,000 ft. in height. In the south-central part of France is the socalled Central Plateau, which is bordered on its southeastern side by rugged mountain ranges, beginning with the Cevennes, which ascend from the Rhone Valley and reach a height of 5,584 ft. in Mont Lozere, and on its northwestern side by the Monts d'Auvergne which attain an altitude of 6,000 ft. Further it is bordered by the hills of Burgundy and Cote d'Or. Still further north are the Vosges, which run parallel with the Rhine; their crest formed the boundary line between France and Germany before the World War. Thence the wooded highlands of the Argonne and the Ardennes bear off to the frontier. The western and northwestern part of France consists of fertile plains save for the hills of Normandy and the picturesque rocky coast of Brittany. On the North Sea and the Channel are the seaports of Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne, with the great port of Havre at the mouth of the Seine, and Cherbourg, an important naval base, between Cape Hague and Cape Barfleur. In the extreme northwestern projection, sheltered by Cape St. Mathieu, is the roadstead of Brest, the great naval station. Further down the coast is Lorient, St. Nazaire, at the mouth of the Loire, with Nantes further up the river, Rochefort and La Rochelle. Up the estuary of the Garonne is the important port of Bordeaux, fourth city of the republic; and at the mouth of France, country of arts, letters and science, is also a land of festivals and gaiety. There are historical pageants elaborately presented in beautiful settings, such as Versailles, St. Germain, and in some of the many gardens in Paris. France possesses 1,300 thermal springs and 120 health resorts. Spas are scattered through the mountain ranges, notably in Savoy, the Massif Central and the Vosges, Alps. Pyrenees and the Jura, as well as in the lower slopes of Normandy, Touraine, Provence and many other localities. Along the 1,900 miles of French coast bordering on two seas and an ocean, there are more than 900 bathing beaches. Much of the history of France may be read in her art. The prehistoric remains at Les Eyzies in Dordogne, the caves of Monestan in Ariege. the dolmens and menhirs of Brittany, the arenas of Arles and Nimes, all speak eloquently of ancient are. Traces of the Merovingian period are to be found in Aix-en-Provence, Frejus and Poitiers; masterpieces of the Romanesque and Gothic abound throughout France; the Renaissance and seventeenth century are especially well represented by the world-famous chateaux and their gardens. among which Villandry, Versailles, Vaux, Sceaux and Saint-Cloud are particularly famous. Other famous castles are Chantilly, St. Germain-en-Lage, Fontainebleau, and the Grand and Petit Trianon. The magnificent public buildings and charming private mansions built during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Paris. Abbeville, Nantes, Tours, Orleans and Bordeaux excite the admiration of tourist and native alike. Throughout France there are many famous museums including the world-renowned Louvre, the Carnavalet and others in Paris. The country is noted for beautiful churches and cathedrals, particularly in Paris, Amiens, Beauvais, Reims, Chartres, Rouen, Poitiers, Bourges, Strasbourg, Albi and Arles. The chateaux of France, especially those of the Loire, are well known. Amboise, Blois, Luynes, Chenonceaux, Chambord, Sully, Langeais, Cheverny, Chinon, Loches, Azay-le-Rideau, have been available to tourist inspection for the past few years. Carcassonne is known for its old fortifiled walls. There are many popular winter resorts scattered in mountains of the Vosges, the Jura, the Alps and the Pyrenees. France has four important rivers, the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne and the Rhone, the left bank of the Rhine from Basle, Switzerland, to Lauterbourg, and a dozen others, all of great value because of canalization, which binds them together. The waterways total 7,543 miles in length, of which canals cover 3,031. French railways, totalling 26,417 miles, and formerly owned and operated under seven great railway systems, two of which were state-owned, were merged (Jan. 1, 1938) into one French National Railway system, the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais. Agriculturally, France is a country of small farms, the average unit being 24 acres. The French peasant is a frugal individual and grows most of what he eats. The land is suited to a variety of products the most important of which from a commercial standpoint are wheat, mixed corn, rye, barley, oats, potatoes and beets. A great diversity of fruits are grown, chiefly apples and pears, plums, peaches, apricots, nuts and cherries. The fishing industry is extensive. The government assists financially in the culture of silk. The country is rich in minerals, and the basins of Pas de Calais and Lorraine are noted for their huge coal deposits. Subterranean products, besides coal, include lignite, iron ore, bauxite, pyrites, mineral oils, auriferous ore, asphalt, rock salt and potash salts. The iron ore deposits in Eastern France and the bauxite deposits in Central France are among the richest in the world. Manufactures occupy a predominant position in the economic life of the nation, and chief among these are the making of chemicals, silk and cotton textiles, perfumes and iron products. France imports more wine than she exports. France imported (1938) from the colonies 18,566,231 metric quintals and from foreign countries 198,093. Exports (1938) to the colonies were 311.636 metric quintals and to foreign countries 875,186. The principal imports in peace time in the order of their monetary value are coal and coke, wines, wool, vegetable oils and seeds, cotton, cereals. fruit (fresh and dried), machinery, coffee, copper, skins, hides, rice, timber. The order of exports, according to value, was machinery, iron and steel, wool, cotton cloth, silk cloth, chemicals, minerals. motor cars, wines, skins and hides, paper, sugar, spirits, precious and semi-precious stones, wool thread, fruits (dried and fresh), drugs, medicines. perfumes, soaps, cotton thread, timber, Alsace-Lorraine, returned by Germany to France at the end of the World War, had a population (1921 census) of 1,709,749. The census (1921) returned the total population of enlarged France as 39,209,706, a loss of 395,474 over the previous census (1911). France, always an attractive country to foreigners, counted as residents (1911) 1,132,696. and (1921) 1,417.357 in the pre-war territory and 1,550,459, comprising Alsace-Lorraine, an increase of foreigners of 284.661. According to these figures the decrease of French citizens between 1911 and 1921 was, for pre-war territory. 2,389,884, or, counting the return of Alsace-Lorraine, 813,237. The number of foreigners in France (1936 census) was 2,453,507, a decrease of approximately 400,000 over 1932. The number of households (1936 census) was 13,145,184, occupying 9,109,687 houses. France is in the vanguard in the matter of social welfare legislation. Both employers and employees contribute to the old-age pension fund. There is also compulsory social insurance against illness, maternity, disablement and death. The legislation has been continued by the French State. With the belief that the French educational system was partly to blame for poor moral conditions in France, the French State has embarked upon a reorganization of French education, the main features of which are as follows: A. The general outline of the system, based upon a division into primary, secondary and university education (primary, secondary and superior) is not altered: B. The philosophy of education is modified in that it is no longer considered beneficial to give too much learning indiscriminately to all French youth. It is contended that too much "theoretical and "encyclopedic knowledge is not, of itself, the best preparation for the life struggle: C. In consequence thereof it is deemed advisable to modify the curriculum of French schools, developing manual training and sports, and reserving secondary education for those who seek classical culture and speculative learning; D. To emphasize the need of moral, civic and patriotic teaching, special classes will be devoted to moral education and the teaching of history will be modified; religious schools will be officially allowed to reopen or to carry on and religious classes will be held in Government schools; E. Special attention will be given to the training of primary teachers who, in turn, are responsible for the bringing up of most French children: F. To readapt the French educational system to present material conditions in France, various practical measures have been taken. The French State repealed (Sept., 1940) the famous laws (1904) which nominally denied the right to teach to all religious organizations. This law was for a long time regarded as one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the Third Republic in its struggle against clericalism. It was not too rigidly enforced, however, especially after the World War of 1914-1918, but schools conducted by religious groups were nevertheless illegal. From now on, religious orders will be allowed to resume their teaching under the official control and authority of the Ministry of Education. Primary instruction is free and compulsory. The public schools form the University of France with an enrollment (1937-1938) of 5,436,554 pupils in 81,500 schools. There are 17 universities in the country, The University of Paris was founded around 1150-1170 and the University of Montpellier existed as a School of Medicine at the beginning of the twelfth century. A faculty of jurisprudence was created in the latter part of the century. The University of Toulouse also was founded in the twelfth century. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, only about a million persons adhering to the Protestant faith. The state recognizes no religion and tolerates all. France, as a Republic, was governed under constitutional law adopted (1875) and modified (18751884-1885-1889). Legislative power rested in a Senate and Chamber of Deputies, with the Deputies elected by manhood suffrage every four years. The Senators were elected for nine years, one third retiring every three years; the election was indirect and made by an electoral body in each district made up of delegates chosen in the municipal council of each commune, and of Deputies, councillor-generals and district councillors in each department. The two Houses united as a National Assembly, elected by absolute majority a President of the Republic to serve seven years, meeting immediately whenever a vacancy occurred. The President selected a Cabinet of Ministers, generally from the two Chambers, but was permitted to go outside the membership. In practice the President summoned a leader who could obtain a majority in the Chambers in support of his policies as President of the Council (Premier) and he made up his list of Ministers and submitted it for approval to the two Houses. The number of portfolios varied. Each Minister was responsible to the Chambers for his acts and the Ministry as a whole was responsible for the general policy of the Govern ment. The unit of local Government was the commune. Each commune elected by general suffrage a municipal council which in turn elected a Mayor, who is both a representative of the commune, the agent of the central Government and the head of the police. Each Department had representatives of all Ministries and was placed under a prefect nominated by the Government and having wide functions. The system continues under the French State. The tenure of office of the Premier was subject to the will of the Chamber of Deputies. If the Chamber refused him a vote of confidence, he tendered his resignation and another Premier was named by the President. The last elected President of France was Albert Lebrun (1932-1939). He was born (Aug. 29, 1871) and elected (May 10, 1932) to succeed Paul Doumer, who was assassinated (May 5, 1932). Lebrun was reelected (April 5, 1939) by the National Assembly. The war with Germany saw rapid changes of Cabinets in 1940. Premier Edouard Daladier and his Cabinet resigned (March 20) and was succeeded by Paul Reynaud as Premier the following day. The Reynaud Cabinet served until its resignation (June 16) when Marshal Henri Philippe Petain was named Premier and immediately declared for peace with Germany. The Third Republic of France came to an end (1940) after the German army had entered Paris, following the occupation of Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg and northern France. The invasion of the low countries began (May 10) and within a month the German forces had seized these lands and had overrun Northern France. German troops entered Paris (June 14) and the Government moved to Bordeaux. The Cabinet, by a vote of 13 to 11, agreed to ask Germany for an armistice. The Cabinet, the last under the Constitution of 1875, resigned and President Lebrun asked Marshal Petain to form a new Government, which entered into negotiations with Germany and Italy for an armistice. The armistice with Germany was signed (June 22) and the one with Italy two days later. German forces at the time occupied threefifths of France. The Government moved to Vichy (July 2) and Parliament voted (July 9) full powers to Marshal Petain to establish a new constitution. The vote in the Chamber of Deputies was 395 to 3 and in the Senate 225 to 1. The members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate met in National Assembly (July 10) and passed by a vote of 395 to 3 a Constitutional Law, giving to Marshal Petain the power to promulgate "through one or more Acts a new Constitution for the French State", based on the rights of "labor, family and the fatherland", to be ratified by the Nation and applied by the Assemblies to be created. This "Constitutional Law" was adopted by a vote of 569 to 80, with 17 members absent. By virtue of the power vested in him Marshal Petain issued seven decrees under the heading of Constitutional Acts. Under Act No. 1 (July 11), Marshal Petain assumed the functions of Chief of the French State, heretofore held by Albert Lebrun as President of the French Republic. President Lebrun did not officially resign but retired. It was assumed that the publication of this act automatically entailed the abolition of the function of the President of the French Republic. Under Act No. 2 (July 11) The powers of Marshal Petain are defined. As Chief Executive he will: Appoint and remove Secretaries of State who will be responsible only to him; Promulgate laws and enforce their execution: Fill all civil and military positions for which no other method of choice has been provided by law; Command the armed forces; Exercise the right of pardon and amnesty: Receive envoys of foreign powers who shall be Have the right to declare martial law in one or more parts of the land; He shall not have the power to declare war without the previous assent of the Legislative Assemblies. Temporarily he shall also exercise legislative power: Until the formation of new assemblies; After such formation, in case of foreign tension or grave internal crisis. Under Act No. 3 (July 11) The Senate and Chamber of Deputies will continue to exist until there have been formed the Assemblies provided for by the Constitutional Law of July 10; the Senate and Chamber of Deputies are adjourned until further order and hereafter will be convened only on the call of the Head of the State; article 1 of the Constitutional Law of July 16, 1875, is repealed. Under Act No. 4 (July 12) M. Pierre Laval was appointed successor to Marshal Petain in case the change was made necessary by events. Under Act No. 5 (July 30) A Supreme Court of Justice was created as a permanent body to pass judgment upon such ministers or high officials as have failed in their duty, particularly during the events that brought about the passage from peace to war prior to September, 1939, and upon individuals guilty of attempts against the security of the State. Under Act No. 6 (Dec. 1) The deposition of Parliamentarians was decreed henceforth by the Chief of the French State and not by the Parlia ment. Under Act No. 7 (Jan. 21, 1941) All members of the Government and high officials of the Civil Service are required to swear allegiance to Marshal Petain personally and are responsible to him. The Cabinet was reorganized (Sept. 6, 1940) with Laval as Deputy Prime Minister and later Minister of Foreign Affairs. Marshal Petain "for high reasons of internal policy" (Dec. 12) dismissed Laval and abolished the office of Vice Premier. At the same time he named Pierre Etienne Flandin Foreign Minister. Flandin resigned his post (Feb. 9, 1941) and Admiral Jean Francois Darlan was named his successor. The following day Marshal Petain designated Admiral Darlan as his successor as Chief of the French State should cirsumstances make the succession necessary. Marshal Petain appointed (Jan. 22, 1941) a National Council of 192 members to advise with him and to share with him the duties of directing the French State. The Government as constituted (Aug. 12, 1941) follows: Chief of State-Marshal Petain. Premier, Minister of National Defense, Navy and Foreign Affairs-Admiral Jean Francois Darlan. Minister of Justice-Joseph Barthelmy. Minister of National Economy and Finance-Yves Bouthillier. Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply-Pierre Caziot. Minister of Interior-Pierre Pucheu. Minister of State in charge of Activities for the National Council-Lucien Romier. SECRETARIES OF STATE (And ministries to which they are attached) Education and Youth-Jerome Carcopino (Interior). Family and Health-Dr. Serge Huard (Interior). War-Gen. Charles L. C. Huntziger (Defense). Aviation Gen. Bergeret (Defense). Colonies-Rear Admiral Platon (Defense). Industrial Production and National EquipmentFrancois Lehideux (Chief of State). Labor-Rene Belin (Finance). Communications-Jean Berthelet (Finance). Secretary of State for the Vice Presidency of the National Council-Benoist-Mechin. Food Supply-Paul Charbin (Agriculture). Minister of State in Charge of Coordinating New Institutions-Henri Moysett. SECRETARY GENERAL (With the rank and prerogatives of Economic Barnaud. Relations-Jacques North Africa-Gen. Maxine Weygand. Charging that the Government had capitulated to Germany before it had exhausted all means of existence, Gen. Charles J. de Gaulle organized (June 23, 1940) a Provisional French National Committee. London recognized "Gen. de Gaulle (June 28) as leader of all Free Frenchmen, wherever they may be, who rally to him in support of the Allied cause. "French colonies supporting the Free French movement are French Equatorial Africa, New Caledonia, Oceania, French Cameroons, French East Indies, French West Indies and French India. Gen. de Gaulle formed a Council of Defense of the French Empire to "exercise all the powers of a Government of War in the name of France on all territories where fighting against the enemies of France continues or will sooner or later be resumed." De Gaulle announced (Sept. 25, 1941) a Free French Council to serve under his presidency as a provisional government until they can hand over their functions to a constitutionally representative French Government. The War Cabinet of Premier Daladier decreed (Sept. 26, 1939) the dissolution of the Communist Party in France. The decree, signed by President Lebrun, also prohibits the propaganda of the Communist Internationale in France. The ban remains in effect under the French State. The unit of currency is the franc, stabilized (Feb. 29, 1940) at 21 milligrammes of fine gold. The budget (1941-1942) is estimated at 243,600,000,000 francs and anticipated revenue 68,205,000,000 francs, or less than one-third of the expenditures. Two-thirds of the expenditures will have to be raised by the sale of Treasury bonds or other forms of borrowing. The budget puts ordinary expenditures at 97,000,000,000 francs and supplementary credits for the liquidation of war costs at 37,600,000,000 francs. Costs of occupation for the first six months of 1940 are given as 78,000,000,000 francs with the expectation that for the second year they will not exceed 100,000,000,000. The national sinking fund calls for 9,000,000,000 francs. The French Army was divided into the Metropolitan and the Colonial armies. The peace establishment Metropolitan army (1938-1939) consists of an active army of 491,000, of whom 421,000 are for home defense and 70,000 a mobile reserve for overseas garrisons. The conscript served two years in the active army, and is available thereafter for a period of 26 years. The navy (1941) consisted of two aircraft carriers. 19 cruisers, 36 escort and patrol vessels, 64 destroyers and torpedo boats and 97 submarines. The personnel of the navy (1939) numbered 4,930 officers and 69,500 men, with 3,000 to be added. Since the armistice the personnel had been greatly reduced. The terms of the armistice provided that all naval units, except some left to guard the empire, be recalled to specified ports and placed under German or Italian control. Germany declared it would not use the French fleet against Great Britain. The armistice terms deprived France of all military aircraft at home but there is an Air Force Overseas. The armistice provided for the demobilization of all naval, air and military forces, with the exception of police troops of which a force of 100,000 was permitted. All French youth in their twenties, the former military age, must enroll for six months in the compulsory National Service organization instead of the army, which, under the terms imposed by Germany, must be recruited entirely from volunteers. France constructed a system of fortifications, known as the Maginot line, extending 125 miles along the Franco-German frontier from Switzerland to Luxemburg. Later the line was extended along the Franco-Belgian border to the North Sea. It is estimated that the original Maginot line and the extension cost $500,000,000. The extension was constructed after the declaration of war by France against Germany (1939) and was not as formidable as the original line which took five years to build. Trenches linked a series of casemates-shellproof vaults with embrasures through which artillery and machine guns might be fired-from one to 16 miles apart. From this chain, which included an elaborate system of subterranean barracks connected by tunnels, army officers believed a continuous barrage might be laid down along the frontier. The line was so constructed that troops were hidden from enemy view and protected by the fortifications against bombardment. Defense against gas was provided by a special process; electric machinery maintained in the interior an atmospheric pressure slightly higher than the exterior pressure. Gunners laid their fire by following the indications on a dial, controlled by an artillery officers in a hermetically sealed armored chamber, who viewed the outside world through panoramic telescopes. Telephone lines were built through concrete slabs or buried underground. The fortifications contained miles of barracks with passages lighted by electricity. Every precaution was taken to make the line habitable for months. Tons of concrete and steel for more obstacles, traps, pits, trenches, gun emplacements and field fortifications of all kinds as well as concrete casements and block houses were added (1940) to the line. The German army in the Battle of France cut through all except a few miles of the rear of the line (June 16, 1940) and the French withdrew virtually all of the 500,000 in the line. Later it was reported that the Germans had destroyed the line So far as its military value was concerned. Germany began to dismantle the line (1941) and the land was subdivided into small farms and handed down to peasant families under a system established in Germany. The Petain Government announced (Sept. 30, 1940) that it would retain full military and civilian control of all French Colonies and Protectorates. ALGERIA (L'Algerie) Algeria is in the northern part of Africa, extending for 650 miles along the Mediterranean Sea, between Tunis on the east and Morocco on the west. Both neighbors are French protectorates. The northern territory extends inland approximately 350 miles; beyond, the four southern territories extend southward indefinitely into the Sahara Desert, merging into French West Africa. On the coast is an area, the Tell, from 50 to 100 miles wide, of very fertile plains with valleys running out from the hills, mainly owned by Europeans, which is cultivated scientifically. Behind the Tell is the tableland of the Shat with an elevation of 3.000 ft.. arid. or covered with salt lakes and swamp. The two chains of the Atlas Mountains, reaching to altitudes of 7,000 ft., divide the country from the Sahara. Algeria has a population (1936) of 7,234,684; and area of 847,500 square miles. The capital is Algiers. The natives are Moslems. The Northern Territory, area 80,117 square miles, is divided into three departments: Algiers, population, 2,240,911; Oran, 1,623,356; and Constantine, 2.727,766. Each department sends one senator and three deputies to the National Assembly which alone has the right to legislate for Algeria. An army corps of the Metropolitan army (the XIXth) was stationed in Algeria. It included the Foreign Legion; 6 regiments of Zouaves; 6 regiments of cavalry (Chasseurs, d'Afrique); 3 of field, and 1 of heavy artillery, 1 battalion of engineers, and 1 regiment of the flying corps; 12 regiments of Algerian Tirailleurs, and 6 regiments of Spahis (Arab cavalry). The strength of the garrison at Algiers and Tunis (1937) was 3,003 officers and 82,722 men. The Air Corps had 2,280 of all ranks in 5 groups. The army set-up has been changed by the armistice but no official information has been given out (Sept. 1941) as to the exact strength. French and British fleets fought a battle at the naval base of Oran (July 4, 1940) after the signing of the armistice. Nationals must serve two years with the army and then may be called up as reservists in case of mobilization. Agricultural products include wheat, barley, oats, corn, potatoes, artichokes, flax and tobacco. Wine and olive oil are produced. and figs grow abundantly. chief agricultural pursuit. posits of iron, zinc, lead, antimony. Dates, pomegranates Cattle grazing is the There are large demercury, copper and The principal imports are textiles, machines, automobiles, petroleum, sugar, coal, iron and steel, cereals and coffee. Exports consist chiefly of wines, cereals, sheep, olive oil, esparto, spirits. Trade is mainly with France. The unit of currency is the French franc. Governmental revenues (1940) were estimated at 2,526,128,968 francs; expenditures at 2,525,778,285. The Southern Territory, area 767,435 square miles. forms a separate colony under military command which acts with the authority of a governor and has a separate budget. The Southern Territory has a population (1936) of 642,651. TUNIS (Afrikiya; Tunisie) Tunis, one of the former Barbary states under the suzerainty of Turkey, is situate on the northern coast of Africa, with the Mediterranean Sea on the north and east, Italian Libya on the southeast, the Sahara Desert on the south and Algeria on the west. The capital is Tunis. The country has an area of 48,313 square miles and a population (1936) of 2.608,313. The native population is composed of Arabs and Bedouins. The French were obliged to send a military force into the country (1881) to protect Algeria from the raids of the Khroumer tribes, which resulted in a treaty (signed May 12, 1881) placing Tunis under the protectorate of France. |