BRITAIN DETERMINED TO CONTINUE FIGHT.

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

BRITAIN DETERMINED TO CONTINUE FIGHT.

EMPIRE'S CONCERN. Resolution Of The People Unshaken. REACTION TO EVENTS. United I'ress Association. —Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, .Tune 17. It is authoritatively stated chat nothing that has happened has altered in any way the determination of Britain and the Dominions to continue the si niggle. It is useless to disguise the fact that the French request for an armistice is a heavy blow. It is expected that the enemy will largely overrun France, but quite apart from the question cf France's obligation to the Allies',. there is no reason to think the French people will show themselves less spirited than the peoples of other countries now subject to German tyranny, who are continuing passive and active resistance at homo and overseas.

Tanks may overrun a country, but it floes not follow that the same country is governable by tanks. It is learned that it is the unshakable determination of the British Government and the British Empire to continue the struggle. It is understood in semi-official quarters that the. statement issued by an authority last nijjht that Great Britain is firmly and resolutely determined to continue the struggle until victory is won, still expresses the opinion of the British Government Last night's statement was made with full knowledge of the. grave situation in France. The 'stupendous difficulties of the French Army are most fully appreciated. It is now fc.lt that it is for the British Empire to carry on the fight for democracy. Within a quarter of an hour of Marshal l'eta ill's announcement, newsboys were selling papers in London streets, calling out, "France Capitulated," "France Seeks Peace Terms," "Army Stops Fighting." Grim-faced Londoners eagerly bought papers and seemed stunned by the news. Casual comments revealed a determination to carry on alone. The news was received calmly in official quarters, where the remark was heard: "Now everything we produce will stay here and will be used here for Britain alone." An authorised source told neutral correspondents: "No separate armistice with France can be imagined except on terms of complete, capitulation." Germany has invited Spain to participate in the peace negotiations, says a message from Madrid. Marshal Petain announced that France had made contact with Germany through Spain.