DETERMINED TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 153, 29 June 1940, Page 9

DETERMINED TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE.

FRENCH UNITS.

Assurances To Commander i In Morocco.

[ SYRIA'S FOSITIpK OBSCURE. ■ i United Press —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 28. The British United Press Gibraltar correspondent says that according to reports from Casablanca, all French units under General Nogues, French Commander-in-Chief in Morocco, have assured him that they are determined to continue the struggle against Germany on the side of Britain. It is officially stated that the British Government recognises General de Gaulle, organiser of the French National Committee, in London, as leader of all free Frenchmen, wherever they may be, who will rally to him in support of the Allied cause. General de Gaulle, broadcasting in French, said. "Every Frenchman who is still under arms has an absolute duty to continue resistance. It would be a crime against our country to lay down arms, evacuate a military position or submit to enemy control any portion of French soil, any acre of French, possessions. "I am speaking above all for French North Africa, which is intact. The Italian armistice is nothing but a clumsy trick. In the Africa of Clauzel, of Bugeaud, of Lyautey, of Nogues, every man of honour has the stern duty of refusing to execute the enemy's conditions. It would be intolerable if the Bordeaux panic crossed the seas. "Soldiers of France, stand firm, wherever you be," concluded the' speaker. A message from Jerusalem says that General Mittelhauser, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces in the Middle East, announced the cessation of hostilities in Syria. He added that the French flag would continue to be flown in Syria. A later message, however, says it is learned that General do Gaulle"was in touch with General Mittelhauser earlier in the week. The French National Committee believe that General Mittelhauser shares their views, opposing the armistice terms. An official at the committee's headquarters said that the cessation report must wait confirmation. He pointed out that there had been no hostilities in Syria.