Remarkable Enthusiasm As Commons Hear Churchill Announcement

Northern Advocate, 5 July 1940, Page 5

Remarkable Enthusiasm As Commons Hear Churchill Announcement

P.M. Concludes With Tear-Filled Eyes

(Received 1 p.m.)

RUGBY, July 4. 'J'HERE WAS A REMARKABLE SCENE OF ENTHUSIASM AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN IMPRESSIVE AND INSPIRING SPEECH IN WHICH THE PRIME MINISTER (MR. CHURCHILL) REVEALED THE MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT THE FRENCH FLEET FALLING INTO GERMAN HANDS. Mr. Churchill sat down with tear-filled eyes and the House immediately hurst into loud applause. Everyone sprang to his feet and waved order papers. Mr. Attlee and Mr. Chamberlain stood on either side of Mr. Churchill, who seemed almost crushed by the weight of the applause. •He sat crouched in his seat, his chin on his chest, but quickly recovered, then rose and moved that the House go into secret session. He said that in deciding on these measures there was not the slightest hesitation or divergence among the Cabinet. “Early yesterday morning, after preparations had been made, we took the greater part of the French Fleet under our control or else called upon it to comply to our requirements, ’ ’ he said. “That portion of the French Fleet which was unable to reach French ports came into the harbours at Portsmouth and Plymouth about 10 days ago. Some Joist Voluntarily Two battleships, two light cruisers, some submarines, including the Surcof, eight destroyers and approximately 200 small craft, lying at Portsmouth and Plymouth were boarded by superior forces. “Brief notice had been given where possible to the captains. “The operation was successfully carried out, without resistance except in one instance. “•Several French submarines also joined us independently and we accepted their service. “At Alexandria, where there is a strong British fleet, there are a French battleship, several cruisers and a number of smaller ships. “They have been informed that they cannot be permitted to leave harbour to fall into the power of the German conquerors of France. “Measures have been taken to ensure that these ships will be sunk or otherwise made to comply with our wishes. “The anguish which this process has caused the British Admiralty can be imagined. “We shall offer the fullest facilities to all French officers and men at Aelxandria who wish to continue the war. Fight At ©rata "The most serious part of the story is that two of the finest vessels of the French fleet, the Dunkerque and the Strasbourg, modern battle cruisers, lay with two battleships, several light cruisers, a number of destroyers, submarines and other vessels at Oral]. “The French admiral there refused to comply with the demands contained in a Note presented to him, and announced iiis intention of fighting. “One battle squadron had arrived at Oran under Vice-Admiral Hugh Somerville, supported by cruisers and strong flotillas. “At 5.58 p.m. he opened fire upon the powerful French Fleet, which was supported by shore batteries. At 6.G p.m. he reported that he was heavily engaged, “At 7.30 p.m.,Admiral Somerville reported that a battlecruiser of the Strasbourg class was damaged and one of the Bretonne class sunk. Another battleship of the same class, two French destroyers and a seaplane carrier were also sunk or burning. British Forces Intact “During lliej action one of the French battle-cruisers which slipped out of the* harbour was pursued by aircraft and bit by at least one torpodo.\ f Vice-Admiral,'Somerville’s fleet, in all respects, is intact, “The Italian Navy kept out of the way,” Mr Churchill added. < “ A large proportion of the French fleet is in our hands or has been put out of taction or otherwise withheld from Germany by yesterday’s event's. / “Other French ships are at sea and everything possible will lie done to prevent their falling into enemy hands.” The British Jlemands presented at Oran called upon the French commander to comply with one of three alternatives: First, to sail with Britain and continue the fight against the enemy. I Secondly, t<h sail with reduced crews under British control to a British port, i „ Thirdly, 1o a ail the French ships to some French port in the West Indies, wf,iere they could be demilitarised, or perhaps entrusted to the Ignited States. If these differs were refused within six hours, the admiral was requested to sink his ships, failing which whatever force was necessary to prevent the ships falling into German aAd Italian hands would be taken.