The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-24
HOStilitieS To End On
French Front TOniQht
Italy Offers Her
Peace Armistice
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS
UNITED Press Foreign News Editor,

France hurried armistice negotiations with Italy
today in hope Of ending fighting within "a hours and
Germany reported the Nazi armed forces READY 10
"go against England"
The French negotiations with Italy, whose armies
were smashing into the Alpine frontier OF France
were described at Bordeaux as progressing favor
ably, with an agreement expected today or tomor.
row. Fighting will six hours after signing OF
armistice.
But the French government Of Premier Marsha!
Henri Petan still was smarting under criticism OF
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and under
threat Of French forces-particulary in Africa, the
Near East and Indo. China-to fight on
AZ 4 result the Bordeaux government Issued a
long statement addressed chiefly to America, assert.
ing Britan's war effort had been Insufficient but
that France by patience and work "can and must live
again"
The official statement asserted that France-not
Germany, or Italy or Britain-would decide French
foreign policy in the future, although II did not
plain how this could be done If, a. reported, the ar
istce terms call for German and Italian occupation
Of all Of the coasts of France for the duration Of the
war against Great Britain.
COMPROMISE, TRADITION
The British war effort up to the time Of the Ger.
man invasion Of the low countries was described in
detail in the statement, which said the London gov
eminent continued to rule with "compromise and ira.
dition" and that the preparations were clearly in.
sufficient although vast aid has been promised
France.
BRITAIN is GIVEN CAUTION
The statement also called upon Britons to re.
ceive with extreme" caution such French leaders
Gen. Charles De Caulle, who 10 setting up nationa!
committee in London to carry on the conflict and
urged them to avoid making London "hotbed OF
agitation for politicians and dissenters'
GERMANS PRESS ON AHEAD
The German armies continued to press into west
ern and southern France as the armistice was
awaited. They neared the westernmost point Of
France-Port lie Verdon-where stands monument
commemorating the landing Of American soldier: in
the World War and charged down the Rhone Valley
in an attempt to take the French Alpine forces IN the
rear and join with the advancing Italian troops
Britain Refutcs France
Withdrawing all recognition from the French Bor
deaux government, Great Britain sought To-Day 70 OF
panize resistance Germany and Italy throughout tne
French empire, with Its 100000 people, and among
Frenchmen in foreign countries under new Frencn ma
tional committee formed as a government IN exile
Drastic Armistice Terms
Britain published officially last night what said was
summary of the drastic armstice terms which the Pc
tain government had accepted from Germany providing
occupation Of half the country including all the COAST
and submission of the great French navy to German
Italian control.
Formation Of French Groups
Immediately afterward Gen. Charles De Gaulle for
er French undersecretary of in broadcast TO the
French empire announced the formation OF French ma
tonal committee In this country to look after French IN
terests until victory had been assured.
Britain followed this with a statement withdrawing
recognition from Bordeaux government and announc
ing that 1t would deal with the national committee
in all matters concerning prosecution OF the war.
It was hoped that the statements might inspire re-
sstance In French colonies and among French fighting
forces overseas In defiance OF Bordeaux.
corn,eA mn para a.