FIGHTING FRENCH FEARS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23818, 11 December 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING FRENCH FEARS

Admiral Darlan’s Position

REASSURANCE FROM U.S. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, Dec. 9. The Washington correspondent of the ‘‘New York Times,” Mr Arthur Krock, states that the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) to-day conferred with M. Adrien Tixier and Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu, the Fighting French Commissioners in Washington and the Pacific respectively, in an effort to remove fears that Admiral Darlan would use his position in North Africa to impose a Fascist regime on . France after the war He assured them that the United States would not permit Admiral Darlan even to attempt such a move. The Fighting French believe that Admiral Darlan intends to lead a large Fascist army to Franco with the invading United Nations forces in order to establish a totalitarian government.

The reply of American official circles is, ‘‘Where would Admiral Darlan get the forces for such an army? If he could get the forces, how can it reasonably be thought that the United Nations would permit them to be concentrated?” Mr Hull explained that at the time of the British and American landing the military problem was necessarily paramount. Therefore it was not the moment to cease lighting and ask the names and addresses of those Frenchmen who offered to aid the Allies. Mr Hull declared: ‘‘The Allied forces were perilously exposed, and Lieuten-ant-General Eisenhower did what has proved the most effective thing in advancing the army towards its objective. Lieutenant-General Eisenhower’s arrangement continues to be a purely military affair.” Mr Hull revealed that General Giraud was the first choice as the principal collaborator in North Africa, but he was unable to assemble the necessary power. General Giraud had approved the arrangement with Admiral Darlan, which put (he military time-table in North Africa two months ahead of schedule, "saving the lives of at least 18.000 American soldiers, and probably much more before the chapter ends.” Mr Hull said that after (ho war the French could choose their leaders and their own political system. He pointed out that (he ,'1.000.000 Frenchmen in North Africa would hardly be able to impose an unwanted regime on the French people. Move to Relieve Difficulties

Members of the Pacific War Council said to-day, according to a message from Washington, that President Roosevelt, at to-day’s meeting of the council, outlined steps to relieve the political difficulties in North Africa. They declined, however, to specify what steps were planned. The New Zealand Minister <the Hon, V. Nash), who was spokesman for members of the council, said Mr Roosevelt fully explained the political situation in North Africa, Mr Roosevelt also reiterated his explanation (hat recognition of Admiral Darlan by Lieutenant-General Eisenhower was a temporary military arrangement. Asked whether the explanation was satisfactory to the council members, Mr Nash said that personally he was quite happy. , Mr Nash added that the council also discussed the establishment of a United Nations organisation for the relief and rehabilitation of the war-torn countries. particularly those now occupied by the Axis. . The Paris radio slates that it is reported from Tangier that American police have made several arrests in connexion with an alleged plot to kidnap Admiral Darlan. The plotters aimed lo take Admiral Darlan to Brazzaville for trial by a Fighting French tribunal.

FRENCH WEST

AFRICA

“ INTERVENING AGAINST GERMANY”

(Rcc. 1..T0 am) LONDON, Dec 10 "Dakar and the rest of French West Africa intend to intervene agamsd Germany with their full armed strength when they receive materia and equipment from America,” said the Governor-General of French West Africa <M. Boisson), in an interview at Rabat. "The people are loyal to France, and will fight to the death for France,” said M. Boisson. “The fleet and the military forces, of course, form one fighting unit under the Governor-General, but the ships are now under the direction of Admiral Michelicr. Absolute order reigns in West Africa.” M. Boisson denied that the Germans had ever used Dakar as a submarine base or for any other purpose, "The accession of Dakar to the United Nations’ cause and the announcement that some of the warships at Toulon are still afloat indicate a net gain for the United Nations." slates the correspondent of the "New York Times," Mr Hanson Baldwin. "Dakar is useful as a new and shorter air ferry route to North Africa, also as a submarine base for defensive and offensive operations. The Nazis may use some of the Toulon ships, but this advantage is more than cancelled by the Allied use of French warships at Dakar and Casablanca. The United Nations’ naval lead is so great (hat rven if the Nazis raised all the ships at Toulon the balance of naval power would not bo altered and the Axis would still be far behind.”

FIGHTING FRENCH JOINED

ACTION BY COLONIAL OFFICIALS LONDON, Dec. S. Lieutenant-Colonel Rainal, one of the senior officers of the Vichy garrison at Jibuti, has arrived at Dircdawa, in Abyssinia, with 40 of his officers and 1500 men. Lieutenant-Colonel Rainal telegraphed to General le Genlilhomme, the Fighting French National Commissioner for War, expressing his feelings of devotion and of fidelity. The French garrison at Jibuti was estimated at about 0000.

Fighting French headquarters announce tliat the French consul-general at Malta has resigned and joined General de Gaulle. He sent a message to M Laval, staling: ‘T am placing myself at the disposal of the only French leaders who continue to tight,” Reuter's correspondent in Stockholm reports that the entire Vichy Legation staff has joined General de Gaulle. The French charge d’affaires in Liberia has sent in his resignation to Vichy and has joined the Fighting French.

FRENCH HOSTAGES

SEIZED

LONDON, Dec. 9. The Germans have seized 100 citizens as hostages in Lyons, only a month after the occupation of Vichy France.

Lyons has always been a centre of resistance to collaboration with the Germans. and this seizure of citizens is a reprisal for the breaking up by an angry crowd of a pro-German demonstration. The crowd derided the Germans when they attempted to restore order, and as a result 100 people were seized at random and clapped into prison. In Paris, six more Frenchmen have been executed and five more sentenced to hard labour for life for giving assislance to the United Nations,