SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21159, 8 July 1940, Page 6

SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS

Severance of relations with the British Government by the French Government at Bordeaux cannot come wholly as a surprise to those who have watched the progress of the German offensive. The action should not be accepted at its face value, although it is useless to disguise the fact that it is a deplorable development. Marshal Petain and his Bordeaux Government have fallen so completely under the power of Hitler that pronouncements from Bordeaux must be regarded as the voice of the German dictator rather than of the French people. Just as the world has had to accustom itself to the fact that Hitler now speaks for Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Holland and Belgium, so an adjustment of the mind with regard to France is necessary. Petain and his Government, rash as they have been, find themselves under German orders.. The French Press and radio also are merely the tools of the Nazis, and it is necessary to remember that the view they represent is that of Hitler. No doubt the Petain Government, under the constant promptings of the Germans, has been seriously affected bv the British seizure of the French fleet, but it is equally certain that Petain has not been able to obtain the mind of all Trench people on the point. The separation of Britain and France lias been Germany’s chief aim for years, and Hitler is neglecting no opportunities. The French leaders themselves cannot hope to escape much of the blame for what has occurred. Until the last hour they gave the most solemn assurances that their solidarity with Britain was beyond question. If Petain and his colleagues were sincere then, what has happened since to bring about such a drastic change of front ? It is impossible yet to find the truth of the whole tragic debacle. Some day the story will be disclosed and a heavy burden of guilt must fall on many people in high places in France. In the meantime it cannot be imagined that the common people of France can condcme this betrayal of their country, which they have in the past so stoutly defended against the German enemy. For the sake of civilisation it is to be hoped they will be able to resist the insidious poison of German propaganda.