The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, JULY 12th., 1940. THE PLIGHT OF FRANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, JULY 12th., 1940. THE PLIGHT OF FRANCE.

Tim prostrate position of Franco, following submission to Germany, can be well understood m the iignt of history and the reputation, of t. e conqueror. After the Great War, in which the resoluteness-and bravery ' of the French soldiers way one of the chief aids to victory, France rose to a more dominant position. But France was responsible for'the more severe clauses in the Peace Treaty, and lor years the feeling against Germany was strong in France. Still on Hitler’s advent to power, France refrained Lr a long time from action opposing Germany’s policy of rearmament and expansion. France wanted peace, keeping step with Britain in that respect. It- was at this juncture when Belgium wanted the Allies to check Hitler’s march on the Ruhr, that the most opportune time was presented to end the Hitler policy. But the stronger Allies preferring] peace to a new conflict, let the chance pass with the disastrous results which duly ensued. From the rebirth of Germany and its vigorous growth, France deteriorated. France saw the fall of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and it was not till it was Poland’s turn, that France took up arms. France was credited'with the finest army in the world, numbering upwards of 0,000,000 trained reserves. This great force' melted before the advance of the invader, under circumstances still to be explained. Led by a general commanding of high renown, and having as a vantage ground, the Maginot Line, which had cost millions to produce, still the great army iai ed to give the account of itself, rendered by the Army of 1914-18. The French Navy, ranked as the fourth strongestin the world. With the signing of the armistice the -great fleet was to go under enemy control, and it was to be feared, would be used against Britain. The battleships included some of the most modern, only recently launched, and never in serious action. The fleet had been used in conjunction with the British on patrol, convoy, and blockade duties, -and had rendered good service. At the time of the surrender, the Italians had come into the fray, and the Mediterranean had become a vital centre of action, in that, sphere the French Fleet seemed indispensihle to the Allied cause, yet by a .stroke of the pen, it was in the way of being lost. It was at this juncture that the British authorities decided to seize, intern, or destroy the French ships, so that they could not be used in opposition. Events are now transoiring which record the fate of the Fleet. Where they surrender and join in the common cause, they are welcomed. Where they refuse to intern, they are destroyed. Tt was a dramatic decision to make, but tbe occasion was of the- greatest moment to tbe British cause. History will devote many pages to the analysis of the diet before' it masses final inclement- nil tbe matter. But to tbe Rnt'sb, at a time when the imt’on is fighting t'w< Ivi r tie of the world, tbe or ra si on called for definite action, and vmr fy'ing war. tie' nrnrmr course was taken, dis- ] tasteful though it mnv be in > some i resneets. Tt was a ease for snfetv first. ’ and all tbe time in a war of such I

magnitude. The Ministers had a duty

to perforin, and performed it fearlessly in view of the odds at stake. It was the plight of the French into which they went open-eyed, that led up to this highlight of the war's events.