CONCESSIONS BY FRANCE

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 5

CONCESSIONS BY FRANCE

LOSS OF FLEET AND PLANES

RAZING OF DEFENCES PROVIDING United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 26, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. The Prime Minister of France (Marshal Henri Petain), broadcasting, announced that France was handing over her aeroplanes and fleet to Germany and Italy. The French defences were being razed and the Mediterranean bases demilitarized. He declared that France already’ had lost the war when Italy entered the conflict. “You do not achieve victory with gold and raw materials,” he said. “Victory depends on equipment and numbers. Ten million French and 1,500,000 Belgian refugees blocked the roads, hindered the High Command and caused indescribable disorder and wretchedness.”

Marshal Petain described the armistice terms as severe.

The Daily TelegrapTi says that General Nogues, Resident-General of Morocco, issued a fiery appeal to the French and native populations of North Africa declaring that not an inch of French territory will be given up to Italy. General Maxime Weygand, French Commander-in-Chief, has ordered General Nogues to Bordeaux. It is not known whether General Nogues has complied.

French residents of Naviolei have asked the Government to inform General de Gaulle that they fully approve his attitude to continue the war and place themselves at the Government’s disposal. The French-Spanish frontier is closed against all except diplomats and persons holding visas for French Morocco. Among those who crossed yesterday were 20 Amsterdam diamond merchants with priceless gems. The American Embassy is trying to arrange for the evacuation of 1000 American citizens from St. Jean de Luz and Biarritz. COLONEL GREENLY TO TAKE NEW POST (British Official Wireless) (Received June 26, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY June 25. Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. M. Greenly, who was sent by the Government to Canada and the United States in the autumn of 1939 to set up a purchasing organization in each country has now returned to England, having completed the task. The Government has consequently released him from the appointment of Controller-General of the British Supply Board in Canada and the United States with a view to his taking up other work. NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES_NORMAL (British Official Wireless) (Received June 26, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 25. In reply to a question in the House of Commons, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler) said that the situation in the Netherlands East Ladies was normal. Britain had made known its desire that the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies should be preserved and declarations in the same sense had been made separately and independently by the United States and Japan.