Evening star., 1940-07-05
Any Compromise With Dictators
Imperi|s Peace Roosevelt Warns;
F french Sever Ties With Britain
Cabinet Holds
Fleet Attack
UnjustifiobIe
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, July 5.-The French
cabinet decided yesterday to
break off diplomatic relations
with England, LIE Petit Dau-
phinois of Grenoble announced
this morning in a special dis
patch from Vichy.
(The German government
was notified officially this
morning by the French gov
ernment of the severance of
diplomatic relations, dis
patch from Berlin said.)
The decision was taker because of
the British fleets "unjustifable ag-
gression" against the French feet
at Mers El-Kebir, the officially ap-
proved dispatch said.
The French diplomatic repre-
sentative at London adhering to
the Petain government will be re-
called Immediately. it added.
(The regular French Ambassa-
dor at London was Charles Cor
bin, but on June 26 he was
reported to have resigned. The
phrase diplomatic representa-
tive adhering to the Petain gov
ernment" was used to distinguish
the Petain government from the
French National Committee set
up in London by Gen. Charles de
Gaulle, who on June % was
recognized by the British gov
ernment as leader of "all free
Frenchmen.'
Arms Stocks Explode.
In a dispatch from Lyon, Petit
Dauphlnos reported the explosion
of large munitions stocks in the
Rhone River Valley city yesterday
The paper said the intense heat
of the day was the official explana
ton for the blast.
Another Lyon dispatch said Ger
man troops occupying the city now
plan to remain there several thou
sand strong until July 9. Lyon is
south of the line of occupation estab.
llshed by the German-French Arm
istice Commission.
From Vichy, present seat of the
French government, Petit Dauphi-
nois reported that Gen. Maxine
Weygand, who was generallissimo OF
the Allied armies, still is at Vichy
and that Vice Premier Pierre Laval
had gained approval of so senators
for his outline of a new French con-
stitution.
Ship Losses confirmed.
A French Admiralty communioue
published in the press of territory
not occupied by the Germans stated
that the French battleship Bretagne
was blown up, and the battleships
Dunkerque and Provence and the
f1otilla leader Mogador set on fire
during the battle with the English
fleet yesterday at Mers El-Kebir.
fThe Berlin radio quoted the
French radio service as saying
that the French Ministry of
Propaganda, in statement "des-
tined above all for America"
called the British action against
the French fleet IAN act of ag-
gression without precedent in
world history.
ga Mr.. Churchill - al
lowed French politicians who did
not share the sufferings of their
country to establish themselves
IN London and he permitted
that London was made a hot
bed OF meanest intrigues against
the government of Marshal
Petain."
(The broadcast also said French
Foreign Minister Baudouin told
foreign press representatives that
France had been betrayed by
England militarily as well as
politically in the war;
The admiralty communique, which
agreed generally with the facts given
the British House of Commons yes
terday by Prime Minister Churchill,
added that the six-hour ultimatum
did not give the French fleet time tc
weigh anchor before the British
opened fire.
"Vice Armiral Gensoul replied (tc
the British ultimatum there coulo
not be a question of the French fleet
joining the British fleet or being
scuttled, and that he would meet
force with force" the communique
said.
"Gensoul added that the first fire
from the British fleet would have
the practical effect of putting the
entire French fleet against Britain
"a consequence which he knew
Britain did not desire"
France, the communique declared
indeed would never have consid.
cred delivering to any power a fleet
which had not been conquered"
Official French assurances of this