IHE Prime Minister of France, Edouatd Daladier, visiled the Tunisian "Maginot Line" of desert fortifications today and saw garrisons stationed along the farthest limits of French territory in the "Land of Thirst."
Near the borders of the true desert, he inspected the uninterrupted line of defences erected to protect Tunisia from any attack from the south. ' He reviewed 20,000 Senegalese camel-mounted riflemen, Zouaves,. Spahis, artilleryman, and detachments of mechanized troops which passed before him in the small village of Ain Tounine, located in the midst of bare rocks and sand.
The Premier had luncheon in that cheerless spot with Army chiefs, the Resident-General, M. Erik Labonne, and other officials. He then attended a military parade and towards the close of his stay there, spoke with Arab chieftains. To press correspondents he spoke of the "comforting impression of loyalty" he received upon his visit here.
Late in the afternoon, M. Daladier made short trips to garrisons near Ain Tounine and then returned to Gabes at 8.15 pin. The whole city was illuminated in his honour and the populace was crowded in' the streets, cheering him as he rode through to his apartments.
In a broadcast speech made this evening he expressed his great satisfaction over the "enthusiasm of the people in. all the places at which he called." He mentioned particularly the gesture of leaders of the Southern Tribes who spontaneously ordered their armed forces to participate in the Ain Tounine military review and who told him that, "It one day France wants us again, we will come with all our tave and our resources.
The Premier, in conclusion, eulogy ized the Tunisian Army which "gave me an unequalled impression of force and energy."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.