A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 226, 19 June 1940, Page 10

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

So far there is no news of any official German reply to France’s approach for peace terms. Hitler and Mussolini are meeting in Munich, no doubt to decide what those terms will be. and the only available forecast of what they might be envisages a cruel dismemberment of France and her possessions. From both enemy nations have come statements that General Petain’s action is regarded as simply an inquiry and that, therefore, hostilities will go on till there is something more definite. A German comment is that nothing short of complete capitulation will satisfy (hat country. ' Though defeat on their own soil stares them in the face, the French assert they will not accept dishonourable peace terms. '.l his may mean they arc giving consideration to the question of continuing the fight outside France. Their armies, it now transpires, though still resisting, have been split by the Germans into four parts, of which the force facing the Italians remains intact. '.l heir air force is still formidable and their navy has suffered only small loss. There is one report, which has gone unconfirmed for some time, that the French have worsted the Italians in a considerable naval action. Mr. Churchill, as was to be expected, has proclaimed the unshakable resolve of the British peoples to light on alone if necessary, and the nation and Empire applaud the spirit in which this stand is taken. In addition, the British Government has taken a step unprecedented in the nation’s history by submitting to the French Government a proposal to weld the two countries into one Anglo-French nation. Since the French are now trying to treat witji the Germans, British circles say it may lie assumed that the oiler has lor the lime being lapsed. There has been no French reply. Thoughts cannot but turn lo the future of the British troops recently rushed to France. One Canadian division is known to have returned to England.

The R.A.F. goes on with its daily round of attacking Italian objectives in the Mediterranean and East Africa. It is now estimated that 100 planes have been destroyed without any very impressive response from the enemy. An Italian sortie on the Libyan border resulted in a fiasco with the loss of a number of tank's and the taking of 600 prisoners by the British forces. Russia is continuing the occupation of the three Baltic States. Events have yet to prove whether her aims go any farther than ensuring a firm hold on the Baltic seaboard. Turkey is said to be turning to Russia for protection.

The United States is meeting the new situation in Europe with plans for a two-ocean navy (.Atlantic and Pacific) and for unified commercial action by all American republics and Canada.