AN APPEAL TO CONTINUE RESISTANCE

The French government, after having asked for an armistice, now knows the conditions dictated by
the enemy.
The result of these conditions would be the complete demobilization of the French land, sea, and
air forces, the surrender of our weapons and the total occupation of French territory. The French
government would come under German and Italian tutelage.
It may therefore be said that this armistice would not only be a capitulation, but that it would
also reduce the country to slavery.
Now, a great many Frenchmen refuse to accept either capitulation or slavery, for reasons which
are called : honour, common sense, and the higher interests of the country.
I say honour, for France has undertaken not to lay down arms save in agreement with her Allies.
As long as the Allies continue the war, her Government has no right to surrender to the enemy.
The Polish, Norwegian, Belgian, Netherlands, and Luxemburg Governments, though driven from their
territories, have thus interpreted their duty.
I say common sense, for it is absurd to consider the struggle as lost. True, we have suffered a
major defeat. We lost the Battle of France through a faulty military system, mistakes in the
conduct of operations, and the defeatist spirit shown by the Government during recent battles.
But we still have a vast Empire, our Fleet is intact, and we possess large sums in gold. We still
have the gigantic potentialities of American industry. The same war conditions which caused us to
be beaten by 5,000 planes and 6,000 tanks can to-morrow bring victory by means of 20,000 tanks
and 20,000 planes.
I say the higher interests of the country, for this is not a Franco-German war to be decided by
a single battle. This is a world war. No one can foresee whether the neutral countries of today
will not be at war tomorrow, or whether Germany's allies will always remain her allies. If the
powers of freedom ultimately triumph over those of servitude, what will be the fate of a France
which has submitted to the enemy ?
Honour, common sense, and the interests of the country require that all free Frenchmen, wherever
they be, should continue the fight as best they may.
It is therefore necessary to group the largest possible French force wherever this can be done.
Everything which can be collected by way of French military elements and potentialities for
armaments production must be organized wherever such elements exist.
I, general de Gaulle, am undertaking this national task here in England.
I call upon all French servicemen of the land, sea, and air forces ; I call upon French engineers
and skilled armaments workers who are on British soil, or have the means of getting here, to come
and join me.
I call upon the leaders, together with all soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the French land, sea,
and air forces, wherever they may now be, to get in touch with me.
I call upon all Frenchmen who want to remain free to listen to my voice and follow me.
Long live free France in honour and independence !