ITALIAN BID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20270, 11 June 1940, Page 6

ITALIAN BID

CHOSEN TIME FRANCE’S ORDEAL M. REYNAUD'S QUERY WORLD TO JUDGE "PURE CONSCIENCE" Force now to speak (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. June 11, 1.50 p.m.) PARIS. June 10. The Premier of France, M. Reynaud. broadcasting to-day, said: “We arc ready for the trial wc have to face. Our heads will be unbowed. “At a moment when France is wounded blit valiant and devoted, and is fighting against the hegemony ,of Germany—when she is fighting for the independence of all other peoples besides her own—Signor Mussolini has chosen to declare war on us. How shall wc judge this act? “France has nothing to say. The world will pass judgment. You know the attitude of Italy toward our attempts at rapprochement and also that I publicly followed my predecessor's example by saying that there are no Italian-French problems that cannot be solved by friendly negotiation. I’ope and U.S. President “The highest moral authorities in the world, the Pope and President Roosevelt, have repeatedly but vainly tried to prevent this war, which is opposed to all Christian ideals and human solidarity. “Signor Mussolini has decided that blood must flow. What was the pretext for this decision? When our Ambassador asked this question, Count Ciano replied that Signor Mussolini was only carrying out his promises to Herr Hitler. “The same declaration was addressed to Britain, the hostilities beginning at midnight to-night. “Force will now speak. The Allies are strong in the Mediterranean, even more than elsewhere. France enters .this war with a pure conscience. For her, this is not mere words.

“The world, perhaps, will sogn know that moral force provides great strength. France has survived everi severer trials in her long and glorious history. France cannot die.”