RALLYING CALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1940, Page 5

RALLYING CALL

SOUNDED BY FRENCH GENERAL REPUDIATION OF SHAMEFUL TERMS. FREE MEN TO FIGHT ON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, June 23. In a broadcast to Frenchmen throughout the world, General de Gaulle, former Chief Military Assistant to M. Reynaud, appealed to Frenchmen to organise under his leadership from London to continue the war. He declared: "The enemy dictates mean complete demobilisation of the French forces on the land and sea and in the air, complete occupation of French territory, and submission to slavery. "France has undertaken not to lay down arms except by agreement with her Allies, and our Government has no right to surrender while the Allies continue the war. It is absurd to consider the struggle as lost. The bad military system, the faults in the conduct of operations, and the defeatist spirit of the Government during the recent combats, made us lose the Battle of France, but we have a vast Empire intact, a fleet, and much gold. The Allies have immense resources and dominate the seas, and there remain to us the gigantic possibilities of American industry. The same conditions of warfare in which we were beaten by 5000 planes and 6000 tanks could tomorrow give us victory with 20,000 tanks and 20,000 planes. • This is not a Franco-German war; it is a world war. The neutrals of today may not be neutral tomorrow, and Germany's allies may not always be her allies.

“All Frenchmen must continue to fight. The greatest possible French force must be grouped • wherever this can be done. Wherever there are military units and means of arms production they must be gathered together. I undertake this national task in England, and I invite all Frenchmen on land, the naval and air forces, and all engineers and specialists in the arms industry who are on British territory or can get there to join me. I invite all the French people who wish to remain free to listen to me. Follow me. Vive la France! Free in honour and independence!”

NATIONAL COMMITTEE FORMED IN LONDON. RECOGNITION OF BORDDEAUX WITHDRAWN. A French National Committee has been formed in London, with the recognition of the British Government, which no longer recognises the French Government in Bordeaux, a Daventry broadcast states. Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, the Camerons, French Somaliland, Jubuti, French Guiance and possessions in the West Indies have expressed their determination to fight on. COLONIES STAND FIRM STATEMENT MADE IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 23. The following statement was made in London: “The signature to an armistice, by the French Government, brings to an end the organised resistance of the French forces at home, but in the French colonial Empire there are encouraging signs that a more robust spirit prevails. General Mittelhauser, in Syria, has proclaimed the determination of the French forces to fight on. The Governor-General of Indo-China has declared that he will not lower the flag. The Resident-General of Tunis is firm in his intention to continue the struggle. In Morocco, Senegal, the Cameroons and at Jibuti, assurances of loyal support have been received from the military or civil authorities.” BOMBARDMENT IN ALPS FRENCH BATTERIES REPLY ■ TO ITALIANS. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) MONTE CARLO, June 23. Italian heavy guns were heard today here and at Mentone, Roquebrune, and Cap Martin. French mountain batteries replied. BRITISH WAR CABINET GERMAN TERMS TO FRANCE DISCUSSED. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, June 23. The War Cabinet met in Downing Street for over two and half hours. It is understood that the terms of the French-German armistice, which have now been received in London, were under examination. OUR HONOUR SAFE STATEMENT BY BORDEAUX PAPER. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) BORDEAUX, June 23. A day communique states: “The Germans push south of the lower Loire has increased to Rochefort. We repulsed continued Italian attacks in the Alps. "Our honour is safe. That is one point gained," says the Bordeaux paper "La Liberte SuCloucst,” but adds: "It is well known, however, that the treatment to be inflicted on France will have nothing gentle about it." FINANCIAL AID FOR FRENCH COLONIES. OFFERED BY BRITAIN. LONDON. June 23.

It is announced that his Majesty’s Government is prepared to make the necessary financial arrangements to enable the French colonial Empire to play its part in the continued war against Germany and Italy. The signature of the armistice by the French Government brings to an end the organised resistance of the French forces on the home front, but there are encouraging signs of more active resistance ip the colonial Empire. Among the latest French possessions to indicate their determination to carry on are French Indo-China and Tunisia in declarations by the Governor-General and the Re-sident-General respectively.