POSITION IS OBSCURE

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

POSITION IS OBSCURE

MR CHURCHILL’S REVIEW EFFORTS TO RETAIN FRENCH FLEET HOPE FOR SUPPORT IN ’ COLONIAL EMPIRE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 25. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, said that the House would feel profound sorrow at the fate of the great French nation, of the people to whom they had been joined so long in war and peace and whom they had regarded as trustees with themselves for the progress of a liberal, cultured and tolerant civilization in Europe.

“There is no use or advantage in wasting strength or time upon hard words and reproaches,” said Mr Churchill. “We hope that life and power will be given to us to rescue them from the ruin and bondage into which they have been sunk by the might and fury of the enemy—and from other causes.

“We hope, however, that the French Empire stretching all over the world and protected by sea power will continue to struggle at the side of its Allies. We hope it may become the seat of a government which will strive steadfastly for victory and organize armies of liberation. MELANCHOLY DECISIONS “These are matters which Frenchmen alone can decide. We find it difficult to believe that the interest of France and the spirit of France will find no other expression than in the melancholy decisions which have been taken by the Government at Bordeaux. We shall certainly aid to the best of our ability and resources any movement of Frenchmen outside the power of the enemy to work for liberation from barbarism and for the freedom and restoration of France.

“What our relations will be with the Bordeaux Government I cannot tell. They have delivered themselves over to the enemy and are wholly in his power. But, relying upon the true genius of the French people and upon their judgment on what has happened to their, when they are allowed to know the facts, we shall endeavour to keep such contacts as are possible through the bars of their prison.”

After speaking of the fate of the great French nation and Britain’s hope to redeem it from bondage, Mr Churchill described how “when it became clear that the defeat and subjugation of France was imminent, when her fine army upon which so many hopes were set was reeling under the German flail, M. Reynaud, ihe courageous Prime Minister of France, asked me to meet him at Tours.” Mr Churchill then referred to inaccurate versions which had been given of the conversations on June 13, at which the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax) and the Minister of Aircraft Production (Lord Beaverbrook) were also present, and recounted the actual proceedings. “M. Reynaud, after dwelling upon the conditions' at the front and the state of the French Army, with which I was well aeqauinted, asked me whether Britain would release France from her obligation not to negotiate for an armistice or peace without the consent of her British ally,” he said. “Although I knew how great the French sufferings were and that we had not so far endured equal trials or made an equal contribution in the field, I felt bound to say that I could not give assent.” APPEAL TO AMERICA It was agreed that M. Reynaud should make a further appeal to the United States and that they should meet again. “On June 16 I received a message from M. Reynaud, who had then moved to Bordeaux, to say that the American response was not satisfactory and requesting a formal release for France from her obligations under the AngloFrench agreement. “The Cabinet was immediately convened and we sent a message of which I will not give the exact text, but the general substance. The separate negotiations were for an armistice or a ’ peace, which depended upon an agreement made with the French Republic, not with any particular French administration or statesman. They, therefore, involved the honour of France. However, in view of what France had suffered, i. was intimated that provided the French Fleet would be despatched to Britain ports and remain there while the negotiations were conducted his Majesty’s Government would give its consent to the French Government asking what terms of armistice would be open to them. It was also made clear that his Majesty’s Government was resolved to continue the war and altogether to cut itself out of any association with any inquiry about an armistice. CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT - “The same evening I was preparing to go to see M. Reynaud and was, in fact, in the train, when I received information that he had been overthrown and a new Government under Marshal Petain formed, which Government had been formed for the prime purpose of seeking an armistice with Germany. In these circumstances, we naturally did everything in our power to secure proper arrangements for the disposition of the French fleet. We reminded the new Government that a condition indispensable to their release had not been complied with, the condition being that the fleet should be sent to British ports. I think it would have made no difference to the negotiations, for there was plenty of time to do it and the terms would hardly have been more severe than they were. “In order to impress the earnestness with which we held our view we sent the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. V. Alexander) and the First Sea Lord (Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound) as well as the Colonial Secretary (Lord Lloyd) to establish what contacts were possible with the new Ministers. But everything was, of course, moving into a collapse at that time.” After discussing the conditions in the armistice terms, by which the French fleet was to be demobilized under German and Italian control, Mr Churchill said: “Of course, in the same article there is the solemn declaration of the German Government that they have no intention of using the French vessels for their own purposes during the war, but

what is the value of that? Ask half a dozen countries. What is the value of such a solemn assurance by the German Government? Furthermore, the same article excepts from the operations of such assurances and solemn declarations those units necessary for coast surveillance and mine-sweeping. Under this provision it would be possible for the German Government to reserve ostensibly for coast surveillance any existing units of the French fleet. “Finally, the armistice can at any time be voided on any pretext of non-observance and the armistice terms expressly provide for further German claims when peace between Germany and France comes

to be signed. “Such, in very brief epitome, are the salient points in this lamentable but also memorable episode, of which no doubt a much fuller account will be given by history. “The House will naturally not expect me to say anything about the future. The situation at the present time is so uncertain and obscure that it would be contrary to public interest to attempt to pronounce upon it.” Holding out the expectation of another statement next week, Mr Churchill concluded: “In the meantime, I hope that the House will continue to extend full confidence to the Government and will believe that neither patience nor resolution will be lacking in the measures it may take for the safety of the Empire.” Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha, former Secretary of State for War, said: “It is inconceivable that this French surrender could have been made had the French Parliament been in session and public opinion through the Press not subjected to rigorous censorship.” Mr Churchill said: “I hope that we prevent a similar disturbance of the British Parliament. An arrangement has been worked out to enable' Parliament to be a guide, director and supporter of Government and also enabling the Press to maintain its function.”