EXIT OF WEYGAND

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 50, 22 November 1941, Page 9

EXIT OF WEYGAND

Regarded In America

As Ominous MORE COLLABORATION LONDON, November 20. The State Department in Washington announced that the United States has suspended all plans for economic assistance to French North Africa and is reviewing its entire relationship with the French Government because it has acquiesced to Hitler’s express demand to remove General Weygand as Delegate-General in Africa, thus permitting German control over a French authority, which is entirely outside the Armistice provisions. The announcement emphasized that the removal of General Weygand was an ominous development in the growing Franco - German collaboration, which might bo seriously detrimental to American interests. It was stated that the United States would await action by the French and the Germans before determining its future course. Representative Stearns (New Hampshire) announced that he is introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives proposing recognition by the U.S.A, of General de Gaulle’s Free French Government. Vichy Announcement. It is officially announced in Vichy that General Weygand has retired from his post as Delegate-General of the Government in French Africa and that the position has been abolished. General Juin has been appointed Commander-In-Chief in North Africa and General Barrau Commander-in-Chief in West Africa. A permanent Secretary-General for French Africa replaces the Governor-Generalship and Vice-Admiral Fenard has been appointed Secretary-General. M. Chatel has been appointed Governor-General of Algeria. . General Weygand is going to the Riviera for a brief holiday. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, answering a question in the House of Commons regarding the reason for the internment in Syria of seven French citizens, for which action the Vichy Government has interned 14 Englishmen, said the French citizens were interned in Syria by the Free French as hostages for an equal number of Frenchmen who were sent by the Vichy authorities from Syria to France before the Syrian armistice because they wished to join the Free French movement. Conditions For Release. While the negotiations were still in progress tiie Vichy Government had arrested 14 British subjects. It had been made clear that, whatever the outcome of the negotiations, which were continuing, the release of the Vichy citizens in Syria was contingent on the simultaneous release of the British subjects in France. Vichy radio stated that the new Sec-retary-General of French Africa will be under tiie direct control of Admiral Darlan. Vichy radio interrupted a news bulletin to allow General Weygand to broadcast a farewell message to his former subordinates in North Africa.. He said: “Your unity behind the head of the State grows stronger daily, thus consolidating and safeguarding the future. You must remain faithful and loyal.” Brazzaville radio stated that the dismissal of General Weygand marks the Vichy Government’s intention to open North Africa to German troops, and also hand over tiie fleet. The extent of the German demands may be judged by the pressing problem confronting the Germans in North Africa.