SHAMEFUL BETRAYAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1940, Page 5

SHAMEFUL BETRAYAL

BRITISH PRESS ON FRENCH CAPITULATION BORDEAUX GOVERNMENT DENOUNCED. COUNTRY HANDED OVER FOR DESPOILMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, June 24. The “Daily Telegraph,” in a leading article, says: "It is difficult to understand how the French Government consented to sign a betrayal of their ally. The Bordeaux Government has done all possible to consummate the ruin of its country. By surrendering the ports it has cut off France from her empire and done its best to give it to Germany and Italy for despoilment.” The “Daily Mail” declares that President Lebrun and Marshal Petain made a shameful surrender. It asks whether the capitulation corresponds with the wishes of French manhood, and whether it will be accepted by the officers of the French Army. Navy and Air Force. "The necessary steps,” it adds, “must be taken here to counter the French acceptance of the Terms. Hitler's great assault against Britain—and his first defeat—is near.”

The "Daily Herald” says: “The French forces outside France will become valorous executants of the people's will. It is not the Government's feebleness alone which has betrayed 'France. Behind these events lies a long tale of fumbling leadership and worse. There must he an immediate relentless tightening up of our war effort, and Britain must make an effort that will be greater than any other nation ever made and greater, perhaps, than the sum of all the struggles of all nations.” “The Times,” in a leader, says:— “Grave though the military situation confronting Marshal Petain, is, it is impossible to acquit him of making the last, but not the least deadly of the blunders which led to Frances overthrow.”