RELATIONS WITH VICHY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23798, 18 November 1942, Page 3

RELATIONS WITH VICHY

ADMIRAL DARLAN MAKES “ CLEAN BREAK” (Rec, 8 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16. The Morocco radio cays Admiral Darlan. in Marshal Petain’s name, has formed a Legislative Council to assist him as High Commissioner for French Nor'.i Africa Admiral Darlan has declared that he has made a clean break with the Vichy Government. He has announced that he will form a great French colonial army to ‘‘take up the fight for liberty alongside our old ally Britain and our new ally the United States.” He adds that he considers Marsnal Pitain a prisoner of war and that he himself is thus completely independent. Admiral Darlan states that in his new project he will ha’ - ■ the assistance of General Giraud, General Nogues, General Juin. and General Barre. Marshal Petain has replied to Admiral Darlan’s proclamation, stating; “Admiral Darlan dares to affirm that I am unable to make my thougms known to the French people. He claims to be acting on my behalf. When Africa was attacked I entrusted Admiral Darlan with the defence of French sovereignty. In the very first engagement Admiral Darlan did not hesitate to contc-t the assailant. "In giving a premature order to ceare fire, Admiral Darlan disorgani;ed the resistance and shattered the morale of the troops. I have several times confirmed to him my order to defend Africa. He disregarded it

under the pretext of preventing-the chief rebel felon, Giraud, from usurping command of the troops. Admiral Darlan has therefore put himself outside the national community. I declare him bereft of all public offices and military commands.” Many London observers believe that Marshal Petain fully approves of the Allies’ action in French North Africa. Marshal Petain’s disavowal of Admiral Darlan and his order to him to continue to fight the Allied forces is considered to have been given under compulsion from Germany. The Vichy radio says the French military authorities have ordered North African officers still loyal to Marshal Petain, to recruit guerrillas from the local population. The Vichy correspondent of the German-controlled Scandinavian News Agency states that M. Chautemps, M. Flandin, and M. Pucheu, escaped from Vichy France to participate in the formation of a new French Government in North Africa. M. Marcel Peyrouton, the former Vichy Minister for the Interior, also escaped to North Africa. M. Chautemps is reported to have joined General Girauu s forces as a private and to have been sent to Washington on a special mission. M. Pucheu was a member of the Croix de Feu (the Fiery Cross organisation). He was also once Vichy Minister for the Interior. Canada’s War Production.—Canada is producing 5000 military aircraft annually. said the Canadian Minister of Munitions. Canada’s total war production in 1943 would be 3,500,000,000 dollars, which would be 10.000,000,000 dollars more than in 1942.—Washington, November 16. j-