POWERS SIGN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1941, Page 7

POWERS SIGN

SYRIAN ARMISTICE Highest Praise For Australian Troops United I»rcss Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, July 14. The Syrian armistice has been formally signed at Acre. The Vichv official news agency says France has been able to transform an insolent political ultimatum, to which she was unable to subscribe without dishonour, into an honourable military convention. Marshal Petain, in a message to the French people in Syria, said France was about to suffer a painful eclipse in the Levant. Addressing the Vichy forces, he said: "After a month of unequal fighting you must lay down your arms." The British Associated Press correspondent with the Australians outside Beirut says thousands of troops swimming in the sea and dozing in the shade of olive trees are thankful for a chance to relax after a hard campaign. No word has been spoken between the men of the two sides. The Australians were instructed to keep clear of "No Man's Land." Reuter's war correspondent pays high tributes to the fighting qualities of the Australian soldiers. The geographical features favoured the defenders, who fought bravely, and it was remarkable that the Allies were able to break the resistance so soon. They had captured documents which indicated that Vichy had prepared for nine months' hostilities. The manner in which the Australians captured Damour in the face of ferocious enemy fire had astonished the military leaders. Merjiyun would always be associated with the bravery of the Australian Pioneer Corps, who held the fort alongside a famous Scottish regiment, though greatly outnumbered.