Reynaud Bitter

Northern Advocate, 29 May 1940, Page 5

Reynaud Bitter

“I must tell the French people that a very grave event has occurred during the night,” said the French Prime Minister (M. Reynaud) in a broadcast which released first news of Leopold’s surrender. “France can no longer rely upon the help of Belgium. “Since 4 a.m. the French and British armies .alone have been opposing the enemy. “Our armies have been divided into two groups. “The French army is fighting on the Somme. “The other group consisted of the Belgian Army, the British Expeditionary Force, and some French divisions under the command of General Blanchard. “The group of three Allied armies in the north was provisioned through Dunkirk. “The British and French armies defended Dunkirk in the south and west, and the Belgian. Army defended it in the north. “Now the Belgian Army have suddenly unconditionally capitulated in the midst of the battle, opening the road to Dunkirk to the German divisions. “The Belgian Army have laid down their arms by order of their King—the same King who appealed to the Allies to come to his help, the same King who last December refused staff talks with the Allies, the same King who until May 10 professed equal faith in the word of Germany as in the word of the Allies, this same King, without a word of gratitude or admiration for the Allied soldiers, has now handed over the Belgian Army to the invader. “This is an event unprecedented in history,” said M. Reynaud. “The Belgian Government has Informed me that tfee King took

the decision against the unanimous ailvice of his Ministers, and in strict contradiction of the feeling of his country and cf his soldiers, who have been fighting magnificently. “The Belgian Government has decided to form a new army, which will fight alongside the French, “Misfortune has ever made France greater,” concluded M. Reynaud fervently. “On the new line which our great leader, General Weygand, in accord with Marshal Petain, has established on the Somme and the Aisne, we shall hold out and conquer.” M. Reynaud added that the French are holding successfully the lines on the Somme and the Aisne, as well as the Maginot Line. M. Reynaud spoke for less than five minutes. He paid tribute to the young French generals, who, just succeeding their seniors, “had already covered themselves with glory.” King Leopold’s decision to surrender came as a thunderbolt in London, especially as only last night the Belgian Prime Minister (M. Pierlot) broadcasting from Paris, said his Government was unanimous in its determination to continue the struggle with the Allies until victory was won. After M. Reynaud’s broadcast a crowd of men and women of all ages gathered outside the Belgian Embassy in London. One Belgian ex-serviceman, on the verge of tears, said: “I cannot understand it. Why have we stopped fighting?” The Belgian Ambassador, looking very worried, arrived at the Embassy alone, and gave instructions that he must not be disturbed.