The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1941. FRANCE AND NORTH AFRICA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 279, 25 November 1941, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1941. FRANCE AND NORTH AFRICA

PARLY in August Marshal Petain announced to the French people that he had ronfprrcd upon Admiral Darlan full powers over all the nulitarv forces. Ii was then widely feared that this step was a preparation for further capitulation to the demands of Germany, and it was 1 <--marked thai the position of General Weygand had been made more difficult, than ever. Shortly after the announcement there occurred the attempt to assassinate Laval »nd Deat. which was followed by the shooting "f some German officers and soldiers, and an increase of sabotage. The Germans took severe reprisal measures, which were apparently effectual, though as news from France is scanty it is difficult to separate fact from rumour. Now, after a period without reported incident, it is made public that General Weygand has relinquished his command in Africa, and it is asserted that he has been dismissed and is under virtual arrest. Whatever were the precise circumstances of the change, it bodes no good for Britain. Not that Weygand was a friend of Britain. He was not pro-Brit i.-h. or pro-German; he was pro-French. His purpose fceeius clearly to have been to preserve intact as much as possible of the French colonial empire, and not to be anybody's tool. He opposed the Free France movement of General de Gaulle; but he also resisted German pressure. His retention of his post suited Britain better than it. suited Germany. Now he is no longer at his post, and there can be little doubt that his going will make easier the accomplishment of German aims. It is significant that one French general who "had hoped it would still be possible to follow Vichy's policy with dignity" has now turned to support General de Gaulle, because "Vichy now desires to .-land ever North Africa to the Germans."

Control of North Africa, and especially of Tunis, we may easily imagine to be among the German purposes, but Germany has a greater, all-embracing purpose, which is to push or provoke the French themselves into fighting against the British. Rumours that Vichy is likely to "deliver up the French fleet" are given publicity again. What is more to be feared is the infiltration of German troops and administrative personnel into French North Africa, leading to anti-British moves which might force British action, upon which the French might be induced to use their fleet "to defend French interests." Whether Vichy can be manoeuvred into such a position.is of course uncertain. What is certain is that the Germans, with the possibility before them of the destruction of their forces in Libya and a British advance to the borders of French territory, will now use every form of pressure to strengthen their position further west. What resistance will there be to their pressure? From Darlan, it appears, none; Darlan and his colleagues are sunk so deep in "collaboration" with Germany that, whatever they intended at the beginning, they can have no future unless Germany wins. But Darlan and his colleagues have little moral authority in France. Only Marshal Petain is trusted by the people, and his record to date does not justify the suspicion that he would willingly lend himself to actions which might result in France becoming belligerent against Britain. Whether he can withstand the pressure, and circumvent the plans of his pro-German subordinates, no one will certainly predict. It is a precarious situation, dependent so greatly on an old and tired man trying to do his duty as he sees it.