MARSHAL PETAIN’S PROTEST.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1940, Page 4

MARSHAL PETAIN’S PROTEST.

NOTHING more pathetically futile could well be imagined X than the broadcast, reported yesterday, in which Marshal Petain protested against, lit- Churchill s trank condemnation ot the acceptance by the Bordeaux Government of the shameful armistice terms imposed by the Germans. The only charitable view that, can be taken is that years and infirmity have made the distinguished soldier who now heads the French Government incapable of-playing a responsible part in dealing with vital public affairs. Marshal Petain made no approach to the situation that has actually arisen when he said that Mr Churchill was competent to judge the affairs of his country, lint was not competent to judge the affairs of France —much less French honour. Mr Churchill, in fact, was dealing with Britain’s own affairs when he condemned the violation by Britain’s ally of a solemn pledge. It is more than sufficient, in any case, that Frenchmen, wherever they are free, have united in disowning the Bordeaux Government and rejecting the shameful armistice conditions to which it- has agreed. The French nation is able to look with confidence to the future only because the honour of France has passed into stronger and more faithful hands than those of the servile Government of which. Marshal Petain is the titular head.