The position of the Allies as a result of the French capitulation is still obscure. That it is very much more serious than before must be admitted, but no proper estimate of the gravity of the situation can be made until the attitude of the French empire has been defined. At the present moment it would seem that the majority of the French empire repudiates the capitulation, though that need not necessarily mean that the colonies concerned will take part in any other active operations against the enemy than may be called for by self-defence. The colonies have several choices open to them. They might fall in with the capitulation, thereby placing their resources at the disposal of Hitler and Mussolini, who would certainly order the Petain Government to draw upon them for the benefit of the conquerors—though the blockade would hinder that, Or they could come out openly on the side of the British Empire, and continue active operations. The news despatches on their attitude have unfortunately contained much wishful thinking. It seems clear, however, that the French in Morocco and Syria will continue to fight and that those sections of the French navy which have been based in those countries will also continue. Tunisia's stand is less clearly defined. In two proclamations made by the Governor-General since the capitulation, it has been declared that Tunisia will never consent to a change in its status. It has not been stated that Tunisia will continue offensives against Italian territory, and there has been a marked absence of news of French movements on the Libyan front. Of course, this may simply mean that the French at the moment are making no moves there for strategic or tactical reasons; but, if Tunisia were still actively in the struggle, this would seem to be unlikely, in view of the British attack from the East. Two things which might happen in the next day or so will serve to bring out the attitude of these colonies beyond shadow of a doubt. The first will be the formation of a French Government on foreign soil or in French Africa, towards which the colonics will be forced to declare their attitude. And the second will be the reception given to the new governors appointed by the Bordeaux Government. If these new appointees are rejected, the world will know which way the French empire is looking.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.