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Editorial
September 2, 1940
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
The editorial defends Winston Churchill against French Vichy accusations of inciting colonial revolts, arguing Britain's actions were justified after France's surrender, and Vichy's outrage serves to appease Germany.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Editorial Comments
From Other Angles
SPURIOUS MORAL INDIGNATION
Asheville Citizen
Winston Churchill will hardly be at any great pains to deny the French charge that he is responsible for the revolt of some French colonies against the Vichy government. He will probably admit the soft impeachment.
When France capitulated, Britain's position became precarious indeed. All of her plans for the conduct of the war assumed France's fullest participation. This was particularly true of the fighting at sea and in the Near East. France's hasty surrender left Britain to carry on alone against overwhelming odds.
The Churchill ministry had considerable cause for believing that it had been shamelessly abandoned by an ally in whose good faith it had placed complete confidence. Forced by France's collapse to fend for herself, Britain began immediately to salvage every advantage possible from this great disaster. Her first concern was to immobilize or to capture French naval units. This she did more in sorrow than in anger.
Great Britain has undoubtedly done everything possible to induce French colonies to disavow the authority of the Vichy regime and to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with the United Kingdom. That she has succeeded partially in these efforts is established by the reports of revolt in some colonies and particularly by the communique of the French government, denouncing Churchill.
The Petain government may profess to find something reprehensible in such activity on Britain's part. But its moral indignation is not very convincing. Its anger, we suspect, is designed more to appease Germany than to express any genuine conviction on France's part that Britain is not justified in doing all that she can to prevent French lands and resources from being turned against her.
Germany hates Winston Churchill. The Vichy government is trying to propitiate Germany. What is more understandable, therefore, than France's bitter attacks on the British Prime Minister?
While these criticisms may not nettle Churchill, they help France's case with the Nazis.
From Other Angles
SPURIOUS MORAL INDIGNATION
Asheville Citizen
Winston Churchill will hardly be at any great pains to deny the French charge that he is responsible for the revolt of some French colonies against the Vichy government. He will probably admit the soft impeachment.
When France capitulated, Britain's position became precarious indeed. All of her plans for the conduct of the war assumed France's fullest participation. This was particularly true of the fighting at sea and in the Near East. France's hasty surrender left Britain to carry on alone against overwhelming odds.
The Churchill ministry had considerable cause for believing that it had been shamelessly abandoned by an ally in whose good faith it had placed complete confidence. Forced by France's collapse to fend for herself, Britain began immediately to salvage every advantage possible from this great disaster. Her first concern was to immobilize or to capture French naval units. This she did more in sorrow than in anger.
Great Britain has undoubtedly done everything possible to induce French colonies to disavow the authority of the Vichy regime and to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with the United Kingdom. That she has succeeded partially in these efforts is established by the reports of revolt in some colonies and particularly by the communique of the French government, denouncing Churchill.
The Petain government may profess to find something reprehensible in such activity on Britain's part. But its moral indignation is not very convincing. Its anger, we suspect, is designed more to appease Germany than to express any genuine conviction on France's part that Britain is not justified in doing all that she can to prevent French lands and resources from being turned against her.
Germany hates Winston Churchill. The Vichy government is trying to propitiate Germany. What is more understandable, therefore, than France's bitter attacks on the British Prime Minister?
While these criticisms may not nettle Churchill, they help France's case with the Nazis.
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
French Colonies
Vichy Government
Winston Churchill
British Policy
Moral Indignation
Wwii Alliances
German Appeasement
What entities or persons were involved?
Winston Churchill
Vichy Government
Petain Government
France
Britain
Germany
French Colonies
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Britain's Role In French Colonial Revolts Against Vichy
Stance / Tone
Defensive Of Churchill And Britain, Skeptical Of Vichy's Moral Indignation
Key Figures
Winston Churchill
Vichy Government
Petain Government
France
Britain
Germany
French Colonies
Key Arguments
Churchill Likely Responsible For French Colonial Revolts Against Vichy
Britain Felt Abandoned By France's Surrender And Acted To Protect Itself
Britain Sought To Immobilize French Navy And Detach Colonies From Vichy
Vichy's Indignation Is Spurious And Aimed At Appeasing Germany
France's Attacks On Churchill Help Propitiate Nazis