MR CHURCHILL’S BROADCAST

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23054, 24 June 1940, Page 7

MR CHURCHILL’S BROADCAST

Grief and Amazement At Decision APPEAL TO ALL FRENCHMEN (Received June 23, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 23. Mr Churchill made a statement at 2 a.m., declaring that the French Government had' accepted the German terms, placing the’ French Empire at the mercy of Germany and Italy, Mr Churchill said: “His Majesty’s Government has heard with grief and amazement that the terms dictated by Germany have been accepted by the French Government at Bordeaux, His Majesty’s Government cannot feel that such cr similar terms could have been submitted to by a French Government possessing freedom, independence, and constitutional authority. “Such terms, if accepted by all Frenchmen, would place not only France, but the French Empire, entirely at the mercy and in the power of the German and Italian dictators. Not only would the French-people be held down and forced to work against their ally; not only would the soil of France he used with the approval of the Bordeaux Government as a means of attacking their ally, but the whole resources Vf- French Empire and the French would speedily pass into the hancfvVf the adversary for the fulfilment oWiis purpose. “The British Government firmly believes that, whatever happens, Britain will be able to carry on the war wherever it may lead, on the seas, in the. air, and cn land, to a successful conclusion. When Great Britain is victorious, she will, in spite' of the action of the Bordeaux Government, cherish the cause of the French people, and a British victory is their only possible hope of the restoration of the greatness of France and the freedom Of its people. “Accordingly, His Majesty’s Government calls upon all Frenchmen outside the power of the enemy to aid them in their task and thereby render Its accomplishment surer and swifter. The Government appeals to all Frenchmen, wherever they may be, to aid to the Utmost of their strength the forces of liberation, which are enormous, and which, faithfully and resolutely used, win assuredly prevail.”