BRITISH DECISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1940, Page 5

BRITISH DECISION

STATEMENT BY MINISTRY OF INFORMATION REFUSAL BY ADMIRAL AT ORAN. NAVY ORDERED TO TAKE ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON. July 4. The British Ministry of Information in a statement issued early this morning said: — "It will be recalled that the French Government, relying upon the promises of the German and Italian Governments not to use the French Fleet against any of her former Allies, undertook by the terms of the armistice to pass the fleet into the hands of the enemy. His ' Majesty s Government, having lost all faith in the promises of the German and Italian Governments, felt impelled in its own interests, and with a view to the ultimate restoration of France, to take steps to ensure that the French Fleet should not be used against Britain by her common enemy. “With this object, steps were tmten to place all French men-of-war in British ports under British control. French warships in certain British ports have been seized, this opeiation having been carried out successfully except in one case in which there were two casual-

ties, caused by a misunderstanding.

“At the same time French vessels in north-west African ports were offered certain conditions designed to keep them, out of German hands. The French admiral at Oran refused to comply with the requirements, and the British Government has therefore ordered the British Fleet to take action against that section of the French Fleet, to ensure that its conditions are complied with. The operations are continuing. "A further statement will be made in Parliament later today by the Prime Minister, Mr Churchill.” ITALIAN AID FLEET SPEEDING TO ORAN. ACCORDING TO BERLIN REPORT. (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) GENEVA, July 4. It is reported from Berlin that the Italian war fleet is proceeding, under forced draught, to aid the. French off Oran. TITLE FOR PETAIN ■ FUEHRER OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) BERLIN. July 4. The News Agency describes Marshal Petain as the Fuehrer of the French Government.