Evening star., 1940-06-24
Frances PLIGHT

as to the incapacity of France to
continue to make war, it would be
dispelled by the Bordeaux govern
ment's acceptance of Germany's
armistice terms, which are nothing
short OF devastating. Details of the
conditions imposed by Hitler in
Compiegne Forest Friday reached
the United States via London yes
terday. While at the time of this
writing they had not been confirmed
from either Berlin or Bordeaux, they
bear every evidence of authenticity.
Despite the lip service paid by the
Germans to their heroic" foe in the
preamble of the armistice, its con-
tents turn out to be harsh in the ex-
treme. They provide for the utter
prostration of France, her complete
subjugation, pending the final reck-
oning, which is left for the treaty
OF peace. Probably the cruelest fea-
ture of the stacking of arms which
Germany requires is the demand that
France, in effect, shall do all within
her shackled power to help the Reich
and its Italian ally carry on the war
against Great Britain. French soil
and many of the facilities it affords
are to be at the disposal of the axis
powers for attainment of their su-
preme objective-conquest of the
United Kingdom.
Obviously it was knowledge of that
particular portion of the Nazi armi-
stice dictate" that impelled Prime
Minister Churchill on Saturday to
express British grief and amaze
ment" at Frances readiness to con-
clude separate peace. Mr.. Church.
III did not find it meet to accuse the
French of violation of their pledge
never to make terms with Germany
except in collaboration with Britain.
But there was no lack of sting or i'm
plication in the Prime Minister'S
statement that the British govern
ment cannot feel that such terms
could have been submitted to by any
French government possessing free
dom, independence and constitu-
tional authority" In that thrust is
clear imputation that the Petain
peace cabinet has not spoken with
the true voice of France in agreeing
to virtually unconditional surrender.
AS conclusive evidence of it's re-
sentiment of the unilateral peace &C
tion exemplified by the armistice, the
British government announces it
has severed all diplomatic relations
with the Petain regime. A provi-
sional French national committee is
being set up in London under the
direction of General de Gaulle,
which, it is presumed, will become
the nucleus of new French govern
ment with which Britain will estab-
lish relations and cooperate for
further joint prosecution of the war.
From Great Britain's standpoint,
the armistice condition referring to
the French fleet is of paramount
interest. Presumably, the fleet is not
to be used to attack Britain. It must
merely be recalled from all points,
disarmed and interned, with the
single exception of certain auxiliary
ships needed for nine-sweeping
operations and units to be left in
French colonial ports for policing
purposes, probably to insure that
these outlying possessions remain
intact for Italian absorp-
ton.
The completeness of the Bordeaux
surrender is further exemplifed by
the provisions respecting French
territory. All Of France roughly
north of line drawn from Geneva
to Tours, and thence along a coastal
corridor to Spain, including all Of
the country's important industrial
areas, is to remain in German mill
tary occupation until peacetime.
French military forces are to be fully
disarmed and demobilized. No forces
will be permitted to leave the borders
of France. All German prisoners, un-
officially estimated to number at
least 100000, must be Immediately
liberated, but French prisoners in
German hands will be held as host
ages until peace treaty is signed.
All implements and facilities of
transportation, from motor trucks
to railroads and ports, and their
whole equipment, must be put in
their entirety at the disposal of the
axis allies, to promote war against
Britain. No radio communications
will be permitted in any unoccupied
portions of France.
AS The Star has already pointed
out in these columns, armistice is not
peace. Bitter as are the humiliations
which the Bordeaux regime has al
ready consented to swallow, France
has not yet drunk It's cup Of sorrow
to the dregs. These will only be dis
closed in the peace pacts which Ger
many and Italy will lay before her.
BY agreeing in the armistice to strip