NO WAVERING OF PEOPLE IN BRITAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1940, Page 7

NO WAVERING OF PEOPLE IN BRITAIN.

SORROW FOR FRANCE. Complete Endorsement Of Decision To Fight On. FINAL STAND TOR VICTORY. British Official Wireless. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, June 17.

Announcing that he had approached the enemy with a view to putting an end to hostilities, Marshal Petain, the new Prime Minister of France, said: "It ia with a broken heart that I tell you to-day that fighting must cease."' The deep sorrow expressed by Marshal Petain is shared throughout Britain and the Empire, and in most neutral countries the fateful announcement was heard with profound regret. In Britain tha ordeal through which France lias passed and iii passing is fully appreciated. It is recognised that the decision that confronted the French Cabinet yesterday was awful and heartrending. In the Press the-re is no word of bitterness directed against Britain's great, immortal ally, who has suffered grievously under an overwhelming weight of nictal and man-power, and has seen her armies thrown back, and her refugee women and children bombed and machine-gunned with relentless barbarity. There is also no sign of wavering in the British people in the face of. this heavy blow. On all sides there is | complete endorsement of the Government's lead, that it cannot be too clearly and definitely stated that Britain is firmly and resolutely determined to continue the struggle until victory is won. The "Evening News" says: "So now we fight alone, what then? Need we be dismayed or faint of heart? We need not bo if the nation rises as one man to towerik.t height in the struggle, if the nation understands with cool and penetrating n. ind the vastness of the issues at stake, if the nation realises and is braced by that knowledge, that it is fighting not only for itself, but for the whole world. Germany can still be brought down. Of all the champions of freedom, Britain remains alone without serious hurt, a champion not yet in full condition, but one who, when ready, is a match for all the ruffians of Europe."

The "Evening Standard" eaye: "Our task now is therefore clear and simple. It is to transform this country into & single fortress. Nothing must be left undone. No strong point must be left unguarded. No resource must be. left unused. Xo man must be without his duty. All must become a vast battleship, thickly armoured and hugely gunned, able to smite fearful vengeance against anyone who dares to touch one of its turrets. All this must be done And it must be done quickly."

The "Star" savs: "The French Armies, in their great ordeal, have nobly nhown what our own fighting men have been so ready to display, that as fighting men 'they can meet and beat the Germans on anything approaching terms of equal armament. We arc rousing ourselves at last to the height of the greatest challenge human beings have ever had to face. When Mr. Churchill calls for a supreme effort from a united nation lie will find lie waiting to hear and obey."