London, June 24.
Large numbers of volunteers, many uniform, swarmed into the hastily prepared headquarters of General de Gaulle's French National Committee fon the Thames Embankment today, barely 24 hours after formation of the body, Furnishing of the new headquarters was not even completed when volunteers began pouring in to re-ister for service by the side of] Great Britain, Among them were many soldiers who have seen service in both the Great War and the pre~ sent conflict, Hundreds of telegrams, General de Gaulle said, had been received from French communities all over the world, All expressed their solidarity with the new Committee, the general stated, A cable from Damascus, he noted particularly, declared that tribal leaders had' sent messages to General Mittethauser, Commander in Chief of the French forces in the Near East, following his speech exhorts tinued resistance, and offered their Fesources and services to France, The Germans were expected begin the occupation of French ter ritory this afternoon. Bordeaux proper will not be occupied immediately, although the Germans may cross Ibrldges about 14 miles from the city.
Meanwhile, it Was understood here that the French Premier, Marshall Henri Petain, was negotiating directly with Chancellor Hitler for the return of the French capital to Parl 'All public establishments "were closed this morning and officers were, confined to their barracks. One' Ininute of silence was ordered observed at 11 am, in ceremonies at_all Great War memorials 'The Premier, Marshal" Henri Petain, was to address the nation on this day of mourning. Government officials were to attend a memorial service at Bordeaux Cathedral, Last night, radio broadcasters' announces ments were met by a mournful silence in the restaurants of Bordeaux.
No physical reaction to the cessa~ tion of hostilities was feared. 'The people of France seemed to have Accepted the armistice as. inevitable and' were fading the future with equanimity and resignation—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.