American and British Governments Endorse Gen. Giraud’s Policy on Jews

The governments of the United States and of Great Britain today endorsed the parallel abrogation by Gen. Giraud of the Cremieux law of 1870 which gave full French citizenship to the Jews of Algeria and of the Vichy anti-Jewish regulations introduced since June 22, 1940.

Official statements to this effect were issued by Prime Minister Churchill in London and by Secretary of State Cordell Hull in Washington. The statement by Churchill, made in the House of Commons today and released by the State Department here reads:

“His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom formally welcome General Giraud’s speech, in particular, his abolition of French legislation subsequent to June 22, 1940, his abrogation of all race distinctions between native Moslems and Jewish inhabitants, and his decision that municipal assemblies and Conseils Generaux (General Assemblies) will resume their traditional role with their members elected by the people. In order to achieve the liberation of France through victory, Frenchmen everywhere must be united, and above all Frenchmen outside Nazi power should act loyally against the common enemy without a day’s needless delay. This object has been permitted by General Giraud’s speech and the (Fighting French) National Committee’s memorandum, since these show no questions of principle divide these two bodies of Frenchmen.”

Secretary Hull’s statement, issued to the press, declared, “Prime Minister Churchill has today made a very important statement in the House of Commons, warmly welcoming and commending General Giraud’s speech of March 14, 1943. The Government of the United States is in the heartiest accord with this timely and splendid statement of the British Prime Minister and finds satisfaction in strongly commending this further step toward French unity.”