BRITISH AID TO FRANCE

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

BRITISH AID TO FRANCE

Limited Scale For First Year (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 26, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. An authoritative statement issued in London states that the British Government never promised to despatch 26 divisions to France in the first months of hostilities. On the contrary, it was explained during the staff conversations with the French that during the first year of the war the British military effort must be on a limited scale. Four hundred thousand British troops went to France, which came up to the British undertaking. The British air contribution greatly exceeded that promised and arranged with the French General Staff.

It is true that because of a shortage of equipment fewer classes were called up in Britain than in France, but hundreds and thousands of volunteers over 28 years of age were incorporated in the British forces. M. Pierre Cot, former French Air Minister, arrived in London. M.

Georges Mandel, former Minister of the Interior and M. Cesar Campinchi, former Minister of the Navy, are expected soon. French missions in England are being disbanded, but the staffs are resolved to fight under a French Government formed in London or North Africa.

Turkey and Syria have reached an agreement declaring their mutual intention not to recognize any alteration by third parties of the status quo in the east Mediterranean. The two Governments will consult on all matters in the east Mediterranean. Three divisions of Turkey’s army, including two mechanized brigades, are being transferred from the Russian border to the Syrian. EXHAUSTED INFANTRYMEN Twelve hundred exhausted French infantrymen, including a general crossed the Swiss border. All railway communications between France and Switzerland have been suspended, also postal traffic between Switzerland, Britain and France.

The Times said today that Marshal Petain had shown more loyalty towards the enemy than to the Allies or to his own people. A Foch or a Clemenceau could have rallied France, but Marshal Petain had allowed his natural pessimism to sweep over the whole country. An agency message reports that Italian troops launched an attack against French forces on the frontier only when they were assured of a five-to-one superiority, and when they knew that the Germans were attacking in the rear. Fifty thousand of the French, who refused to surrender, crossed the border into Switzerland, where they were interned.

A German High Command communique refers to the incomparable victory after only a six weeks’ campaign in France. It says that in yesterday’s fighting the German divisions advanced to the Atlantic coast and reached Ancouleme. More fortifications on the Rhine front in Lorraine were taken. Aix les Bains was captured despite a stubborn resistance.

Herr Hitler has appointed General Heinrich von Stupnagel chairman of the Armistice Commission, with headquarters at Wiesbaden, to where the French have been Invited to send representatives. It is not known whether Italy will be represented or whether she will arrange a separate commission. The people of Berlin heard a bugle sound the "cease fire" over the radio without extraordinary enthusiasm. Mr Roosevelt declined to clarify the whereabouts of the United States Fleet, saying that there was no news of it. The main body of the fleet left Hawaii yesterday.