GERMAN GAINS IN FRANCE

Southland Times, Issue 24161, 25 June 1940, Page 5

GERMAN GAINS IN FRANCE

Leading Aeroplane Factories BRITISH PRESS INDIGNANT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 24, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 24. The Daily Telegraph says that Germany will gain at least a dozen of the principal aeroplane factories in France, besides a large number of subsidiary works. The French are reported to have put out of action many factories. The Daily Telegraph, in a leading article, says it is difficult to understand how the French Government consented to sign a betrayal of their ally. The Bordeaux Government has done all possible to consummate the ruin of its country. By surrendering the ports it has cut off France from its empire and done its best to give it to Germany and Italy for despoilment. The Daily Mail, in a leading article, declares that the President (M. Albert Lebrun) and the Prime Minister (Marshal Henri Petain) have made a shameful surrender. It asks whether the capitulation corresponds with the wishes of French manhood and whether it will be accepted by the officers of the French Army, Navy and Air Force. The necessary steps must be taken here to counter French acceptance of the terms. Hitler’s great assault against Britain—his first defeat—is near.

The Herald says that the French forces outside France will become the valorous executants of the people’s will. It was not the Government’s feebleness alone which betrayed France. Behind these events lies a long tale of fumbling leadership and worse. There must be an immediate and relentless tightening of our war effort. Britain must make an effort greater than any nation has ever made, greater perhaps than the sum of all the struggles of all nations.

The Times, in a leading article, says: “Grave though the military situation confronting Marshal Petain is, it is impossible to acquit him of making the last and not the least deadly of the blunders lead-

ing to France’s overthrow.”

“Our honour is safe. That is one point gained,” says the Bordeaux paper La Liberte, Sudouest. “It is well known, however, that the treatment to be inflicted on France will have nothing gentle about it.”

Marshal Petain, broadcasting from Bordeaux, said: “The French Government heard with sorrowful amazement Mr Churchill’s statement this morning. We can understand his anguish at the course of events, but cannot pass over his words without protest. Mr Churchill is competent to judge affairs in his country, but he is not competent to judge France’s—much less French honour. Our flag is intact. No one can divide France while she suffers. Mr Churchill must know that our faith in ourselves has not wavered.” In official quarters in London it is recalled that M. Paul Baudouin, Marshal Petain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, declared a few days ago that France would not accept humiliating or shameful terms. It is difficult, the commentator adds, to see how the terms could be more humiliating or what could be more shameful than to hand over territory and material for war against an ally with whom France has a solemn agreement not to conclude a separate peace.