ROOSEVELT TOLD ~ 'YOUR TURN NOW'

M. Reynaud, in a broadcast to the French nation late to-night, stressed the gravity of the hour and addressed a "last appeal" for help to President Roosevelt and the democracies of the world.

He said: "In the misfortune which has befallen the country it is necessary to say one thing. At a time when Fate is crushing us, I want to tell the world about the heroism of the French Army, the heroism of our soldiers, the heroism of their commanders.

"I have seen them in the midst of battle, men who have not slept for five days, who are worn out with marching and fighting. These men, whose nerves the enemy thought to have broken, do not doubt the ultimate outcome of the war - do not doubt the fate of the country.

"The heroism of the armies of Dunkirk has been surpassed in the fighting which is taking place from the sea to the Argonne.

"Our race will not allow itself to be overrun by an invasion.

"The soil on which France lives has witnessed many invasions in the past and has always repulsed or dominated the invaders.

Debt to France

"All that, as well as the sufferings and the pride of France, must now be heard or told.

"Everywhere on this earth free men must know what they owe to her, The hour has now come for them to acquit themselves if their debt.

"The French Army was the vanguard of democracy. It sacrificed itself, and, in losing this battle, inflicted heavy losses on the common enemy.

"Hundreds of tanks destroyed, aero planes attacked, losses in men, petrol tanks set ablaze - all that goes to explain the present state of the morale of the German people, notwithstanding this victory.

Send Us 'Planes

"Wounded France has the right to turn to the other democracies of the world and to say to them "It is your turn now."

"The French Army has been the advance guard of the army of the democracies.

"Those who have the feelings of justice will understand. Those who have ideals will understand.

"I have already appealed to President Roosevelt. I send him to-night this last appeal from France. I ask him to increase in all its forms the help which the law of the United States has allowed him to give us.

"It is necessary for clouds of 'planes to come from the other side of the Atlantic in order to crush the power which is crushing Europe.

'Suffer and Wait'

"In spite of our sufferings, we still have the right to hope. The day of delivery approaches. That is why we must keep good hearts.

"That is why, also, we have desired that France should keep her Government free, and for that reason we have left Paris, for it was necessary to prevent the legal Government from falling.

"During the great trials in our history, our people have known days when counsels of despair may have troubled them, but they have never abdicated their rights.

"Whatever may happen in the days ahead of us, wherever they may be, Frenchmen will learn to suffer and to wait.

"The day of resurrection will come."

M. Reynaud's broadcast was originally timed for 7.30 pm. It was postponed first to 8 pm., then to 10 pm, 10.30 pm and 11 pm. He began to speak at 11.30 pm.

As reported by the Daily Mail

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