CHAINS FOR FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1940, Page 6

CHAINS FOR FRANCE

DETAILS OF THE GERMAN TERMS COMPLETE SUBJECTION IMPOSED. SURRENDER OF ARMED FORCES & MATERIAL. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, Noon.) RUGBY, June 23. The armistice terms proposed by the German Government for the French Government were published tonight. Briefly stated, the terms compel France to hand over to Germany her armed forces, her stocks an'd material and to place the greater part of French territory at Germany’s disposal, for the prosecution of the war against Bri-

tain. The French Government will continue to exist on sufferance, in a relatively small area, but will be completely dependent upon Germany. No clue has been given as to the terms of peace, but it seems clear that Germany has no intention of discussing peace at the present stage. The view expressed in official circles in London is that the terms exact the complete capitulation of France.

The following is a. summary of the 24 articles of the German Government’s terms. (1) Immediate cessation of hostilities. French troops already surrounded to lay down their arms. (2) For the security of German interests, territory north and west of the following line to be occupied:—Geneva, Dole Chalon, Paray Le Monil, Moulins, Bourges, Vierzon, thence to twenty kilometers east of Tours, thence south, parallel to the Angouleme Railway, to Mont De Marsan and St. Jean De Pied De Port. Areas not yet occupied in this territory to be occupied immediately on the conclusion of the present convention.

(3) In the occupied area, Germany to have all rights of an occupying Power, excluding local administration. The French Government is to afford all necessary facilities. Germany will reduce to a minimum the occupation of the western coast after the cessation of hostilities with Britain. The French Government is to be free to choose for itself a seat of government in non-oc-cupied territory, or even to transfer it to Paris if it desires. In the latter event, Germany will allow the necessary facilities for the administration from Paris of both occupied and nonoccupied territory. (4) The French naval, military and air forces are to be demobilised and disarmed within a period to be decided, with the exception of troops necessary for maintaining order. The size and armament of the latter are to be decided by Germany and Italy respectively. French army forces in the occupied territory are to be brought back into unoccupied territory and demobilised. These troops will previously have laid down their arms and material at the places where they are at the moment of the armistice.

5) As a guarantee, Germany may demand the surrender in good condition of all artillery, tanks, anti-tank weapons, service aircraft, infantry armament, tractors and munitions in the territory not to be occupied. (6) All arms and war material remaining in unoccupied territory not left for the use of French authorised forces is to be put in store under German and Italian control. The manufacture of new war material in unoccupied territory is to stop immediately. (7) Land and coast defences, with their armaments, etc., in occupied territory are to hand over in good condition.

(8) The French fleet, except that part left free to safeguard French interests in the Colonial Empire, shall be collected at specified ports, demobilised and disarmed under German and Italian control. The German Government solemnly declares that it has no intention of using for its own purposes during the war the French fleet stationed at ports under German control, except those units necessary for coast surveillance, and mine-sweeping. Except for the part of the fleet destined for the protection of colonial interests, all ships outside French territorial waters must be recalled to France.

(9) All information about naval mines and defences is to be furnished and mine-sweeping is to be carried on by French forces. (10) The French Government is not to undertake any hostile action with its remaining armed forces. Members of the French forces are to be prevented from leaving French soil. No material is to be conveyed to Britain. No Frenchman is to serve against Germany in the services of other’ powers. 11) No French merchant shipping is to leave harbour. The resumption of commercial traffic is subject to the previous authorisation of Germany and Italy. Merchant ships outside France are to be recalled, or, if that is not possible, to go to neutral ports.

(12) No French aircraft are to leave the ground. Aerodromes are to be placed under German or Italian control. All foreign aircraft in the unoccupied territory are to be handed over to the German authorities. (13) All establishments and military tools and stocks in occupied territory are to be handed over Intact. Ports, permanent fortifications, naval buildings and yards are to be left in their present state and not destroyed or damaged. The same is to apply to all means of communication. Material for repairs is to be made available.

(14) All wireless transmitting stations in French territory are to cease. (15) France is to facilitate the transport of merchandise between Germany and Italy across unoccupied territory. (16) France is to repatriate the population to occupied territory. (17) France is to prevent the transfer of valuables and stocks from occupied to unoccupied territory or abroad.

(18) The cost of maintenance of the German occupying troops is to be paid by France.

(19) All German prisoners of war are to be released.

(20) All French prisoners of war in German hands are to remain so until the conclusion of peace. *2l) This clause provides for the safeguarding of material handed over.

(22) The German Armistice Commission will carry out the amistice and

will also co-ordinate it with the Franco-Italian armistice.

(23) The armistice will enter into force as soon as France has concluded a similar agreement with Italy. There will be a cessation of hostilities six hours after Italy has notified its conclusion.

(24) The present armistice is valid until the conclusion of the peace treaty and can be denounced at any moment if France does not fulfil her obligations. France has put forward certain relatively unimportant amendments to the above terms. It is understood that some of these have been accepted and others rejected, but the terms remain substantially as set forth above.