TALK IN VICHY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1941, Page 6

TALK IN VICHY

ABOUT SYRIAN ARMISTICE ALLIED TROOPS ENJOYING WELL-EARNED REST. AFTER HARD CAMPAIGN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. With reference to the formal signing of the Syrian armistice at Acre, the Vichy official News Agency says: "France was able to transform an insolent political ultimatum, to which she was unable to subscribe without! dishonour, into an honourable military convention.” Marshal Petain, in a message to the French people in Syria, said France was about to suffer a painful eclipse in the Levant, and, addressing the Vichy forces, said: “After a month of unequal fighting, you must lay down your arms.” The Associated Press of Great Britain correspondent with the Australians says that outside Beirut thousands of troops are swimming in the sea or dosing in the shade of olive trees, thankful for a chance to relax after a hard campaign. No word has been spoken between the men of the two sides. The Australians had been instructed to keep clear of no man's land. Reuter's war correspondent pays a high tribute to the fighting qualities of the Australian soldiers and says the geographical features favoured the defenders, who fought bravely. It was remarkable that the Allies were able to break the resistance so soon. Captured documents indicated that the Vichy Government was prepared for nine months of hostilities. The manner in which the Australians captured Damour, in the face of a ferocious enemy fire, astonished military leaders. Merj lyun will always be associated with the bravery of an Australian pioneer corps who held the fort alongside a famous Scottish regiment, though greatly outnumbered