REPORTED BRITISH SURPRISE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 60, 4 December 1942, Page 5

REPORTED BRITISH SURPRISE

Darlan’s Latest Move FIGHTING FRENCH DENUNCIATION (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received December 3, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. Admiral Darlan’s creation of an Imperial Council and other details cabled yesterday came as a complete surprise to the British Government, says the diplomatic correspondent of "The Times.” The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, and Ids advisers are examining the position, and in, the meantime are awaiting full reports from Allied headquarters. Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent says that Admiral Darlan's move raises grave questions, for instance, regarding lite approach to the other half of the French Empire which gives allegiance to General de Gaulle. Reuter’s correspondent expresses the opinion that Darlan’s claim to represent French sovereignty is at least •' questionable. Moreover, Fighting French headquarters denounce the move as the transfer of Vichy to Algiers and, like Vichy, an illegal assumption of power. President Roosevelt’s statement on November 17 is now recalled. He said then that “the future French Government will not be established by any individual in metropolitan France or overseas, but by the French people themselves.”