THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 24, 1940
PETAIN REPLIES TO MR. CHURCHILL
London, To-day.
that the
Marshal Petain yesterday broadcast a statement from Bordeaux replying to Mr. Churchill's appeal, calling on all Frenchmen outside the power of the enemy to aid Britain in the continued struggle against Hitler and stating that His Majesty's Government had learned with grief and amazement French Government at Bordeaux had accepted the German-dictated terms.
Marshal Petain said the French Government had heard Mr. Churchill's statement without stupefaction.
"We understand the anguish Mr. Churchill feels for his country. Mr. Chur- chill is the judge of the interests of his country, but is not the judge of ours which is still left to the honour of France.
能
"Our flag remains without stain. Our army fought bravely and loyally. In- cease. Nothing can ferior arms and numbers forced us to ask for combat to
France has divide the French at the moment when the country suffers. spared her efforts or her blood.”—Reuter.
REVOLT AGAINST PETAIN DECISION Widening Scope Of Response To Rally Cry
LONDON, TO-DAY.
AN INSPIRING MESSAGE TO FRENCHMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD. TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST GERMANY WAS BROADCAST YES- TERDAY BY GENERAL DEGAULLE, UNDER- SECRETARY FOR WAR IN M. REYNAUD'S GOV- ERNMENT.
He said that the armistice meant that the French force on land, sea and in the air will be com-
Marshal Petain
not
Mr.
Churchill's broadcast annoyed him.
pletely dismembered, that the whole. territory FIGHTING IN
of France will be occupied and the French Gov- ernment will be under the domination of Ger- many and Italy.
This attitude would be one not only armament production must be assem- of capitulation but also servitude, bled and organised.
Many Frenchmen do not accept either capitulation or servitude. Their rea- sons are honour, common sense and the supreme interests of their country.
Honour
____
because France agreed not to lay down her arms except in agreement with her Allies.
While the Alfles continue the war. she has not the right to sur- render to. the enemy. The Govern- ments of Poland, Holland, Norway. Belnium and Luxemburg have been driven
but countries, from their they have understood their duty.
National Task
Here, in England, he undertakes this national task. and he invites every French soldier on land, sea or in the air, all French engineers and skilled armament workers to gather
around him.
and airmen to get in touch with him. Frenchmen who still He invites all remain free to listen to him and to follow him.
HUPEH
Chungking, To-day.
Military advices from the Hupeh
NATIONAL COMMITTEE SET UP
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
!
London, To-day. The constitution of a "French National Commit- tee," representing "the inter- ests of the Fatherland and citizens resolved to maintain the independence of our coun- try," was announced by Gen- eral de Gaulle, Chief of Mili- tary Operations in Reynaud's Cabinet, in a broadcast in French.
Stating that the armistice accepted gives the enemy French arms, planes, gold and ships, General de Gaulle said: "This capitulation has enslav- ed France completely and has placeri the Government at Bordeaux under immediate and direct dependence on the Germans and Italians.
"The French people have no chance to make known their real will and therefore, in .agreement with the British Government, a French National Committee, repre- senting the interests of the Father- land and its citizens resolved to maintain the independence of our country, keep the obligations under- taken by France and contribute to the war effort until common victory with the Allies is reached, has been formed."
Composition of the National Com- mittee would be published in the near future.
War Not Lost ·
The General appealed to Belgians to join in the defence of their nation's liberty, and added the Committee would give account of its action to “a French Government independent and legal as soon as such a Government exists again," and will take under its direction all French citizens at pre- sent on British soil.
The
He concluded: "The war is not lost. Fatherland is not dead. Long live France."-Havas.
MR. BEVIN'S
front indicate that the Japanese princi- APPEAL TO
pal communication lines west of the Han River have been cut. The Chinese are astride the Shasi-Siang- yang highway.
A column driving along the west bank of the Han River has recaptured Lengshuipu, opposite Hungsiang. Lihokow, a river crossing north of Lengshuipu, has also been
WOMEN
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA_MAIL")
LONDON, TO-DAY. MR. ERNEST BEVIN, regained.
MINISTER The Japanese there were subjected to OF LABOUR, IN A RADIO BROAD- an encircling attack and dispersed. CAST URGED BRITISH WOMEN TO He invites officers and men, sailors Two pontoon bridges built by the Ja-WORK · TWO DAYB WEEKLY IN panese were destroyed. Japanese MUNITIONS FACTORIES BOTH TO
between communications
Kingmen GIVE MEN WORKERS A REST AND and Chungsiang have been severed.-TO TRAIN THEMSELVES FOR THE
WORK HEAVIER
THEY Central News,
WILL HAVE TO UNDERTAKE WHEN THEIR MENFOLK ARE MOBILISED, Mr. Bevin suggested conscientious objectors should be employed in farme,
Syria To Fight
He concluded:— "Long live France, free in her Common sense because It is honour and in her independence!" absurd to consider the war lost. Reuter. France still has a great Empire, an undefeated Navy and a great reserve. The Allies, with their immense re- sources, dominate the sea. And most of the resources of America's indus- try are open to them.
The
Supreme Interest
supreme interest of their coun- because this war is not a Franco-German war that can be de-
try
cided by one battle. This is a world
war.
Bonse and the
Honour, common aupreme interest of their country command all free Frenchmen to. continue the struggle, wherever they may be and in whatever way they can.
London. To-day.
The French High Commissioner In | Byrla,-broadcasting on the Beirut radio fast night, sald. “The General Officer Commanding In Syria. General Mit- telhauser, has decided to carry on the mlsalon of France in Syria and defend with Indomitable anerav the honour of France and her flag."
The French High Commissioner add-
ed he was in complete agreement with
General Mittilhausor.--Reuter.
Pro-British Demonstration In Saigon.
Saigon, To-day, There was a demonstration outside the British Consulate in Salgon ves- great a❘terday, when They must assemble as
the crowds called for French force. as possible, wherever the acceptance by France of the Bri- possible. Every French military tish offer for a Franco-British Union soldier or everything possible for and for France to continue the strug-
-
FRENCH COMMUNIQUE
Bordeaux, To-day. An official communique states: "The situation is without notable change except along the Atlantic coast where the Germans continue to advance in the direction
Saintes of Rochefort, and Cognac,
tinuation of the Italian attempt to pro- On the Alpine front, there was con-
gress. On the whole, we still hold our advanced positions.-Reuter.
He asserted that sports were among the projects on foot to secure the good health and well-being of British workers.-Havas.
BORDEAUX ASSEMBLY
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Bordeaux, To-day. All deputies and senators at present in Bordeaux assembled in the Athens Theatre and voted their "unanimous gle.
confidence in Marshal Patain in pre- The British Consul, in a short | sent circumstances:""
France speech, said that
was still The vote was followed by a state- alive and Britain would do everything ment renewing the Assembly's ex- in her power to assist her to victory. pression of "respectful devotion and.
the national gratitude."→Havas. --~Reuter,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.