N. AFRICAN POLITICS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 12, 15 January 1943, Page 3

N. AFRICAN POLITICS

Allied Military Campaign May Be Imperilled N.Z. Press Association.— Copyright Rec. 11 a.m. NEW YORK, Jan. 14, , According to the New York Times Washington correspondent it _is stated authoritatively that the British commanders in North Africa are in full accord with General Eisenhower's policies, both politically and militarily, despite the views of some political circles in London, . Observers point out that social or political unrest in North Africa might imperil military operations by hampering communications. General Eisenhower prefers to finish the campaign before dealing with politics. Informed circles believe the London desire is to inject General de Gaulle, Fighting French leader, into the Norm African picture in some political capacity. It is freely admitted that politics cannot be treated as something apart from military operations, but it is believed that if a far-reaching political, shake-up occurred it would not be in military interests. Fighting French quarters interpret the report that Marcel Peyrouton, former Vichy follower, is on his way from the Argentine to North Africa for an important post as another indication of the American State Department's intention to proceed without regard for General de Gaulle. French Royalist Plot The Columbia Broadcasting System correspondent at Algiers, Charles Collingwood, reports a French Royalist plot to establish a North African monarchy with the Count of Paris as king is responsible for the Darlan assassination. Vice-Admiral Collinet, who fought the British at the Merse el Kebir battle in 1940, and is now French Fleet commander at Dakar, told the New York Times correspondent, Frank Kluckhohn, "We will cooperate fully with the British and American fleets." Mr. Kluckhohn says, "Dakar is now far stronger than Singapore ever was." Stifling Censorship in N. Africa "A French military spokesman in North Africa has succeeded in conveying, wittingly or unwittingly, an over-optimistic impression that an early meeting is contemplated between General Giraud and General de Gaulle," says the diplomatic correspondent of The Times, "General Giraud from the outset has been disposed to leave the North African administration to others—not with the happiest results, This delegation has had all sorts of unsatisfactory results, which neither General Giraud nor the Allies foresaw, "Not the least of these results is the censorship which has prevented our public receiving a clear picture of developments. War correspondents' difficulties persist and prevent the proper discharge of a public duty/ 5 Complaining of the lack of information,from North Africa, the Daily Telegraph, in a leader, says it has been proved that British censorship is not responsible, and adds: "If this lack of communications is felt during a periods of minor operations, what will happen when Tunisia becomes the scene of great events?"