FASCIST TERMS LIKELY TO BE AVARICIOUS

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 5

FASCIST TERMS LIKELY TO BE AVARICIOUS

(United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 25, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 25.

Hostilities between France and the Axis Powers have ceased. Six hours after the French and Italian delegates had signed an armistice outside Rome, the cease fire was sounded along the front. The fighting stopped at 11.5 a.m. yesterday, New Zealand time. It is not yet known what are the Italian terms, but it is likely that they will prove to be avaricious, ruthless and humiliating. The Prime Minister (Marshal Henri Petain) has ordered a day of mourning throughout France.

The French plenipotentiaries who signed the armistice with Italy in Rome have left on their return to Bordeaux. The Rome radio states that all the Italian demands were accepted and that no counter proposals were put forward. According to the Berlin radio Herr Hitler has appointed an armistice commission to supervise the execution of the armistice terms.

Marshal Petain’s Cabinet has not informed the French public of the armistice terms and it is evident that it fears a violent reaction by Frenchmen all over the world.

Precisely at 12.35 a.m. local time drums and bugles heralded a special broadcast from the German radio. Bells were rung, after which the Deutschland Über Alles and the Horst Wessel song were played.

The announcer said: “The nation bows with reverence before the dead heroes. All eyes at this historic hour are turned to the Fuhrer. A victory more glorious than was conceivable has been won. It is a glorious victory in German history.”

Hitler issued the following proclamation to the people: “German people, your soldiers have ended in barely six weeks of heroic struggle the war in the west against a brave enemy. Their deeds will enter history as one of the most glorious victories of all time. In humility we thank the Almighty for his blessing and I hereby order flags to be flown throughout the Reich for 10 days and church bells to be rung for seven.”