A statement broadcast over Station XCG.DN. last night in connection with ithe detention of M. Egal, the Free French Movement in Shanghai, was as follows:
"It was reported this morning that the leader of the Free French Movement in Shanghai, M. Egal, hud been arrested, This is untrue. M. Egal was not arrested. He was kidnapped a French Naval party led by two 'amicers of the local gunboat Francis Garnier. They had no warrant for his arrest and unlawfully entered the premises where M. Eyal was residing and which are Belgian property.
"M, Bgal is now being kept a prisoner on board the French gunboat.
is rumoured that he will be sent Saigon to be tried by court martial there on the preposterous, charge of having encouraged desertion in the presence of the enemy.
"Later this morning the Free French in Shanghai were discreetly informed that It would be to their own benefit suspend both their radio broadcasts and the publication of their weekly bulletin, "The Free French in Shanghai have already made it known that they will of submit either to intimidation or to threats, They will carry on with their present, activities. 'The only difference will be that, while in the past they have repeatedly yone out their way to show their spirit conciliation towards the Vichy people they will now feel compelled to adopt asiconger attitude, "They have, so far, made' every con~ cession to the supporters of Vichy in order to avoid a split in the French community in Shanghai, This has been taken advantage of by the French authorities here {0 launch a eampatgn against the De Gaulliste movement In this city, Orders for this campaign obviously came from Vichy, although they probably otlummated in Berlin.
"Now, that it is considered a crime for a Frenchman to fight for his country and to proclaim himself patriot, the Free French in Shanghai feel that they can no longer show any consideration for the feelings of the Local Vichy clique, whatever the consequences may be.
"The news of M, Egal's kidnapping was received by the entire Shanghai community with anger and contempt tokens "of sympathy poured into the local De Gaulliste offices here, this afternoon, emanating from members of every' national community in Shanghai where such words as "free. dom," "patriotism and "courage" have not lost their true meaning.
"M. R. Eqgal, local French merchant. was placed under preventive arrest by French Naval authorities. in applieation of the Code of Military Justice (Navy). Mr, Bgal, who is involved in an affair of desertion, was arrested on Saturday morning at his residence, In conformity with the Maritime procedure" a. statement Issued bythe French authorities said last night Police Watchman Found
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.