FRANCE RESOLVED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1940, Page 6

FRANCE RESOLVED

M. REYNAUD’S SPEECH FATE OF WORLD BEING DECIDED. DETERMINATION TO DESTROY GERMAN DREAMS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. PARIS, June 6. M. Reynaud, broadcasting, said: “Each time I have broadcast since the outbreak of war, I have had bad news. Today, at a time which is still grave, I have come to give you reasons for hope. General Weygand told me, ‘I am satisfied with the manner in which the battle began and in which my orders to resist at any price are being carried out.' The French in 1940 have only one thought, namely, to save France. “Let all spectators of this battle for France understand and understand quickly that we are more than ever confident of our arms. Hundreds and hundreds of enemy tanks have been destroyed, since the Germans launched their offensive yesterday.” M. Reynaud ridiculed claims that German successes had smashed the Allied morale. He praised the evacuation of Dunkirk and added: “Every French village and town attacked will find an answer in a German village and town likewise attacked. The battle of June, 1940, may decide the fate of the world for hundreds of years. The regime of aggression will disappear for ever. German dreams of the control of Europe are going to disappear under French resistance. France today is calm and united. Every country in Europe has a common interest —to avoid German rule.” DUNKIRK ACHIEVEMENT.

M. Reynaud said the heroism of the rearguard fight before Dunkirk already had gone down into history. “The valour of our military leaders during these days,” he continued, was magnificently shown. France believes in these men, who have won the admiration of the entire world. After the surprises of the first combat, our soldiers of 1940 proved equal to those of 1914, who never doubted their victory even when the Germans were winning.” Observing that Hitler had aimed at breaking the morale of Paris by a spectacular air raid,” M. Reynaud said:— “What were the precise objects, Hitler knows and all the world knows. Women, children and aged people were hit, but this has not disturbed Paris for a second. A few minutes after the raid, I saw on the spot the proud faces of working men and women who don’t know how to tremble. What appeared to be a colossal raid was nothing to the soul of Paris. It has not remained without a reply by British and French bombers.