WAR WITH ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 June 1940, Page 6

WAR WITH ITALY

PROCLAIMED BY NEW ZEALAND. SPECIAL “GAZETTE" ISSUED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. WELLINGTON. This Day. A special “Gazette." signed by the Governor-General and containing a proclamation of war against Italy says: “His Excellency the Governor-General has it in command from his Majesty the King to declare that a state of war exists between his Majesty and the King of Italy, and that such a state of war has existed from 10.30 a.m. New Zealand standard lime on June 11.” PREMIER’S MESSAGE. ASSURANCE OF UNSHAKEN DETERMINATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following message has been sent by the Prime Minister to the British Government: “In view of the official intimation that the King of Italy will consider himself at war with Britain and France from midnight on June 10. the existence of a state of war with Italy has been proclaimed here as from the equivalent time, namely 10.30 a.m,, New Zealand standard time, and his Majesty’s Government in New Zealand will be grateful if such steps as are | necessary may be taken to indicate to the Italian Government that the New Zealand Government associates itself in this matter with the British Government and the French Government. This cynical and cold-blooded attack by Italy at a moment plainly chosen in the belief that it will afford a maximum of embarrassment to the Allied arms, and in the hope, which we knowwill be dispelled, that it will result in an easy triumph and prompt gains for Italy, will call forth here, as elsewhere • through the Commonwealth feelings of indignation, and in those feelings of indignation the New Zealand Government at this moment wishes to renew in the fullest measure the assurance of its firm determination and that of the people of this Dominion to assist by every means within its power until the menace of ruthless and unprincipled aggression has been finally and completely destroyed.”

GERMAN REPORTS (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) BERLIN. June 10. The High Command states: “Our operations on the Lower Seine, and Marne and in the Champagne are progressing according to plan. Great successes have been achieved. All enemy counter-attacks have failed. The struggle in many places has changed into a pursuit. “Our Air Force successfully bombed staff headquarters and military barracks, troops concentrations, field positions, fortifications, marching columns around Rheims and also traffic points and communications on the Lower Seine and port and quay facilities at Cherbourg and Le Havre, where many ships were hit. “The enemy yesterday lost 91 planes. Five German planes are missing.”