President Roosevelt in a Message to M. Reynaud, June 15th
I am sending you this reply to your message which I am sure you will realize has received the most earnest as well as the most friendly study on our part.
First of all, let me reiterate the ever increasing admiration with which the American people and their Government are viewing the resplendent courage with which the French armies are resisting the invaders on French soil.
I wish also to reiterate in the most emphatic terms that, making every possible effort under present conditions, the Government of the United States has made it possible for the Allied Armies during the weeks that have just passed aeroplanes, artillery, and munitions of many kinds, and that this Government, so long as the Allied Governments continue to resist, will redouble its efforts in this direction.
I believe that it is possible to say that every week that goes by will see additional material on its way to the Allied nations.
In accordance with its policy not to recognize the results of conquest of territory acquired through military aggression, the Government of the United States will not consider as valid any attempts to infringe by force the independence and territorial integrity of France.
In these hours which are so heartrending for the French people and yourself I send you assurances of my utmost sympathy, and can further assure you that so long as the French people continue in the defence of their liberty, which constitutes the cause of popular institutions throughout the world, so long will they rest assured that material supplies will be sent to them from the United States in ever increasing quantities and kinds.
I know that you will understand that these statements carry with them no implication of military commitments.
Only Congress can make such commitments.
DRAFT DECLARATION of UNION COMMUNICATED TO THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT BY H.M. AMBASSADOR, SIR RONALD CAMPBELL, and JUNE 16th 1940.
At this most fateful moment in the history of the modern world the Government of the United Kingdom and the FrenchRepublic make this declaration of indissoluble union and unyielding resolution in their common defence of justice and freedom against subjection to a system which reduces mankind to a life of robots and slaves.
The two Governments declare that France and Great Britain shall no longer be two nations, but one Franco British Union.
The constitution of the Union will provide for joint organs of defence, foreign, financial and economic policies.
Every citizen of France will enjoy immediately citizenship of Great Britain, every British subject will become a citizen of France.
Both countries will share responsibility for the repair of the devastation of war, wherever it occurs in their territories, and the resources of both shall be equally, and as one, applied to that purpose.
During the war there shall be a single war Cabinet, and all the forces of Britain and France whether on land, sea, or in the air, will be placed under its direction.
It will govern from wherever it best can.
The two parliaments will be formally associated.
The nations of the British Empire are already forming new armies.
France will keep her available forces in the field, on the sea and in the air.
The Union appeals to the United States to fortify the economic resources of the Allies and to bring her powerful material aid to the common cause.
The Union will concentrate its whole energy against the power of the enemy no matter where the battle may be.
We thus we shall conquer.
OFFICIAL FRENCH COMMUNIQUE ANNOUNCING CONSTITUTION OF NEW GOVERNMENT JUNE 17th
In the present circumstances the Council of Ministers on the proposal of M. Reynaud, has deemed that the Government of France should be entrusted to a high personality enjoying the unanimous respect of the nation.
In consequence M. Reynaud offered to the President of the Republic the resignation of the Cabinet.
M. Albert Lebrun accepted the resignation, paying homage to the patriotism which dictated it, and appealed immediately to Marshal Petain, who accepted the task of forming a new Cabinet.
The President of the Republic has thanked Marshal Petain, who assuming the heaviest responsibility ever borne by a French statesman has proved once again his total devotion to the Fatherland.
MARSHAL PETAIN, NEW FRENCH PREMIER, IN A BROADCAST TO THE NATION, JUNE 17th
Frenchmen. At the request of President Lebrun I assumed, as from today, the direction of the French Government, certain of the affection of our admirable Army, which is fighting with heroism worthy of its wonderful military tradition against an enemy superior in number and armaments.
Certain that by its wonderful resistance it has fulfilled its duty towards its Allies, certain of the support of the war veterans whom I had the honour to command, certain of the confidence of the whole people, I give myself to France to help her in her hour of misfortune….
It is with heavy heart that I say we must cease to fight.
I appealed last night to the adversary in order to ask him whether he is ready to discuss with me, as between soldiers and in honour, the means to end hostilities.
Let all Frenchmen rally round the Government over which I preside during these difficult trials and affirm their whole faith in the destiny of their country.
M. BAUDOUIN, NEW FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, IN A BROADCAST FROM BORDEAUX, JUNE 17th
At this hour in which the very existence of France is threatened, her Government, grouped round the glorious leader of its tradition and its soul, have shown the discipline and abnegation of the French people.
More than at any moment of national history this common tie of suffering and of resolution ensures the maintenance of French nobility and pride.
Whatever decisions may be taken by the Government they will be honourable decisions.
There is not a Frenchman but is determined that in this extreme adversity France shall preserve her dignity, courage and faith in he future.
It is because they are sure of the country’s spirit of independence that the Government remain among you and have asked on what conditions the carnage of our sons might have stopped.
We have, it is true received marks of sympathy. We have had the
Assistance of Great Britain, whose fleet, united to ours, has never lost the mastery of the seas, and whose troops and magnificent Air Force have shared our battles.
We have also had the help of Poland, Holland, and Belgium.
But modern war cannot be improvised, and our friends have not been able to bring us the support necessary to the advance guard which the French Army represented.
That is why the Petain Government have had to ask for conditions of peace.
But they have not abandoned their arms; the country is ready to seek in honour, the way to put an end to hostilities.
But it will never be ready to accept shameful conditions which would mean the end of spiritual freedom for her people.
If the French are obliged to choose between existence and honour their choice is made, and by their total sacrifice it is the soul of France and all it represents for the world that they will have saved.
MR CHURCHILL, IN A BROADCAST MESSAGE JUNE 17th
The news from France is very bad, and I grieve for the gallant French people, who have fallen into this terrible misfortune.
Nothing will alter our feelings towards them, or our faith that the genius of France will rise again.
What has happened in France makes no difference to British faith and purpose.
We have become the sole champions now in arms to defend the world cause.
We shall do our best to be worthy of that high honour.
We shall defend our island, and with the British Empire around us, we shall fight on unconquerable until the curse of Hitler is lifted from the brows of men.
