GERMAN DEMAND TO VICHY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 7

GERMAN DEMAND TO VICHY

Tunisia and French Fleet Wanted ACTIVITIES GROW IN AFRICA (Received November 24, 9.25 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, November 24. The Ankara correspondent of the “New York Times’’ says reliable sources state that Germany is issuing an ultimatum to Vichy to deliver the French Fleet and Tunisia to Germany under the threat of the occupation of more French territory and th,e imprisonment of the French Government. There has been a perceptible increase in German activities in French North Africa since General Weygand’s dismissal says the Tangier correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.’’ German police have already taken up duty at Casablanca. The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that General Weygand is virtually under house arrest. An officer is with him at Antibes, where he is “spending a holiday.” Gendarmes are also posted outside his villa. These are reported to be "protecting him” from inciiscreet inquirers but the real reason is to prevent him from returning to Africa. Reuter declares that circles, in contact with Vichy reveal that General Weygand's dismissal was the result of a 48 hours’,, ultimatum from Otto Abetz, German High Commissioner in occupied France, during his visit to Vichy. A message from Vichy states that a semi-official reply to a Note from the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Htill) blaming Hitler tor General Weygand’s removal, explains that the French Government is always able to replace persons occupying official posts. It does not see how the change can affect diplomatic relations.