DARLAN’S POST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 3

DARLAN’S POST

SERIOUS OBJECTION RAISED. VIEWS OF FRENCH EXPRESSED. MOTION TABLED IN COMMONS. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rcc. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 25. “ North Africa lias been given into the hands of the most completely hated and despised man in France,” declared General de la Vigrie, of .the French Air Force, who arrived from France to join General de Gaulle. “The French people wanted a leader above shady dealings, and they chose General de Gaulle. We desire that General de Gaulle should be entrusted with establishing in North Africa a political regime similar to those of other parts of the French Empire, which have always given allegiance to the Allies. The Darien regime is the Vichy regime and incompatible with the laws of the French Republic, whereto we have always adhered, but it is useless to discuss the French North African Government until it is known how far England can convince the United States that North Africa must be placed under General de Gaulle. General Nogues gave up the intention to carry on the fight in North Africa' after the French armistice with Germany. Marshal Pefcain told him to submit or resign. The political attitude of General Nogues has always been unstable.” “The voice of the Fighting French,” which has been broadcast from London twice daily since ,June, 1940, was silent for the first time to-day. The usual military spokesman explained: “As long as Admiral Darlan is retained as head in North Africa I cannot conscientiously continue to send messages, because it is impossible to make Admiral Darlan’s appointment clear to the French people.” Mr Aneurin Bevan (Independent Labour) and Mr It. J. G. Boothby (Conservative) are among the signatories to a motion tabled in the House of Commons declaring: ‘ ‘The House is of opinion that our relations with Admiral Darlan and his kind are inconsistent with the deals for which entered the war.”

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S VIEW. (Ree.' 9.40 a.m.) LONDON^ Nov. 26. Replying in the House of Commons to a question about Admiral Darlan, the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) reiterated his previous day’s statement that in view, of the delicate phase of the military operations, discussion would not he timely. He said he had given all possible information on this subject which Avas not purely, nor even mainly, a British responsibility. The United States were the principal partners. It Avas not through any action of the British Government, or on its Volition, that the Fighting French rvere lio longer broadcasting to Europe. He Avas doing what he could and had every, hope of bringing about a resumption. Mr Eden agreed that the civil government of North Africa did not come under. British control or the control of any joreign. PoAver. The military Power Avas that of the United States and the present civil poAver was a 'French responsibility. NOISY DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. INDEPENDENT LABOUR QUERIES. MR EDEN UNDER FIRE. ((Rec. 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 26. ' When Mr Eden announced the business for the sitting of the House of 'Commons, Mr Aneurin Bevan (In’dependent Labour) Started a noisy discussion by asking for an early opportunity to discuss the motion relating to Admiral Darlan’s position. There was a considerably-disturbed opinion about this question in Britain and( a large number of the Commons were also .disturbed, said Mr Bevan. yifias it not proper that the Commons should have an opportunity to discuss the subject before Ave Avere irretrievably committed to establishing Admiral Darlan in North Africa and to extension of the same policy in other fields of foreign policy. Mr Eden said that it certainly would be proper but the Government has to bear in mind whether it was timely in relation to the military operations. Mr W. Gallacher (Communist): Is it a fact that a protocol is prepared, and will' be signed shortly, making Admiral Darlan permanent High Commissioner for North Africa. Cries 1 of “answer.” Mr Speaker: Mr Eden has already answered that question. Cries of “No.”

Mr Eden: My position is quite plain. I gave yesterday all the information 1 could in relation to this subject, which was not purely or even mainly a British subject. The United States is the principal party. Mr E. L. Granville, (Lib.-Labour): In view of the serious reports that the Fighting French are no longer broadcasting, will the opportunity be given for a debate on the subject. Mr Eden: It is not due to any action of ours, nor of our volition that this broadcasting is temporarily stopped. I am doing everything I can to bring about the earliest resumption.

Replying to another question, Mr Eden said: “The military power in North Africa is that of the United States and the present civilian power is the French power. Our position has to be related to those two acts. Members of the House of Commons must realise that we are dealing with an extremely delicate situation at the moment when British and American troops are engaged in the most critical phase of the campaign.”