TRAGIC HOUR: CAPITULATION OF FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24327, 18 June 1940, Page 7

TRAGIC HOUR: CAPITULATION OF FRANCE

DRAMATIC DECISION *+« "HOSTILITIES MUST CEASE" GALLANTRY OF FRENCH ARMY HONOURABLE PEACE SOUGHT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 0.5 a.m.) - “It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you to-day that we have ceased hostilities. I sent a message last night to the enemy asking if he is ready to treat with me in an honourable way. as soldier to soldier on a means to put an end to hostilities with honour. We must give up the fight.” In these words Marshal Petain, in a broadcast to the French people, announced the capitulation of his country to the invader. “At the call of the President of the Republic,” he said, “ I have assumed from to-day the direction of the Government of France, and of our admirable army, which has been fighting with a valour worthy of its long traditions against an enemy superior in numbers and in arms/’ It was in this tragic hour, Marshal Petain said, that he had offered himself to France, and he extended his sympathy and compassion to the thousands of refugees who were thronging the country. In conclusion, he urged every Frenchman to rally round the Government, and to do his duty, and not to lose faith in the destiny of his country. Before the announcement was made that fighting was to cease the new French Cabinet sat throughout the night. It was stated that the Cabinet’s first decision would be learned to-day, and the Spokesman added that it would be heavy with .J . ; consequences. * It is reported that M. Reynaud resigned because he was disappointed with President Roosevelt’s reply to his appeal. Because of the grave position in France, President Roosevelt returned last night to Washington, where he met the Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, and the Assistant Secretary, Mr Sumner Welles. The New York Times comments: “America now knows that there can be no such thing as isolation.”

BEFORE THE ARMISTICE M. REYNAUD RESIGNS NEW CABINET FORMED MARSHAL PETALS' PREMIER LONDON. June 16. The French radio stated that M. Reynaud had resigned and that Marshal Fetam had formed a new Government with General Weygand as Vice-Premier. , jaiS-thes jftembers of the Cabinet are: Klinßter of. War, General Coulson. Minister of Air, General Bertrand. Minister of Marine. Admiral Damn. Minister of the Interior, M. Charles Pomarefl .■ ■ _ . ~ Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Baudouin. ' • Minister of Finance. M. Bouthilber. . M, Paul Faure and Admiral Abnal are Ministers without portfolio. - The United Press Bordeaux correspondent says M. Reynaud has been replaced by extreme Rightists. The National Broadcasting Company of America said M. Reynaud’s decision was reached before the Cabinet meeting at which the question of continuing the war was debated. A Bordeaux communique issued between the morning and later meetings of the Cabinet declared that after President Lebrun told Ministers of the American Government’s response to M. Reynaud’s last appeal to the United States the French Government was especially examining “to what extent the American reply permits France to continue the struggle on her own territory under conditions which can usefully serve the common cause of the democracies.” A British Official Wireless message states that information regarding developments, both diplomatic and. military, in France, is almost entirely confined to that given in short messages received from Bordeaux, the seat of the French Government. The French Cabinet is stated to have resumed the review of the military situation started oh Saturday, and then considered the text of Mr Roosevelt’s message in answer to M. Reynaud’s. The Cabinet adjourned at 12.15 p.m. and met again at 5 p.m. According to the French radio, the French Cabinet, after an adjournment, resumed deliberations at 10 p.m. . Meetings of Cabinet The British Press Bordeaux correspondent says M. Reynaud communicated with Mr Churchill after the first Cabinet meeting. President Lebrun presided over the third meeting. M. Chautemps is also a new Cabinet member, but his portfolio has not been decided. . ... The British Cabinet met in the morning and evening, both meetings lasting three hours. M. Corbin (French Ambassador) attended in the evening. Tt is now revealed that M. Reynaud < also saw Sir Campbell Spears, who is •iaison officer attrehed to the British and French Forces, between the second and third French Cabinet meetings. The third meeting lasted half an hour. The deliberations are reported to have been very 1 heated, and included constant consultations between the service chiefs.

GENERAL FRANCO POSSIBLE INTERCESSOR CLOSE FRIEND OF PETAIN AN AMERICAN REPORT NEW YORK, June 17. (Received June 18, at 2 a.m.) Local circles interpreted Bordeaux despatches as indicating that General Franco might be involved in the French-German negotiations, since it is pointed out that immediately after Marshal Petaiu formed a Cabinet the new Foreign Minister handed to the Spanish Ambassador a secret document. He also gave the British Ambassador a document. It is pointed out that Marshal Petain and General Franco servedtogether against the Riffs in North Africa and are close friends. Thus it would be natural if Marshal Petain asked General Franco to intercede with Herr Hitler. ATTACK BY BOMBERS M. REYNAUD’S ESCAPE BORDEAUX, June 17. (Received June 18, at 2 a.m.) M. Reynaud narrowly escaped from German bombers. He had just left a place in central France when the Germans appeared, causing casualties among M Reynaud’s military suite. ACTION AGAINST ITALY AIR AND NAVAL FORCES LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 2 a.m.) The French radio states that there has been no great action against Italy. The Air Force and navy so far have carried out the main operations. It is reported that the industrial establishments at Turin were seriously damaged in last week’s raids and the anti-aircraft defences put out of action.