STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 23915, 19 June 1941, Page 14

STOP PRESS

• DARLAN'S INTRIGUES. LONDON, June IS.—Adni’ral Dari an has opened further military cni) versa lions with Berlin with the object of devising joint Franco-German measures to prevent United States intervention against Fre neb African possessions or the seizure of Dakar. According to ‘ The 'Times ’ French frontier correspondent, the Germans are reproaching Darlan for allowing the British to forestall the Axis in Syria, and are insisting that; American intervention must be prevented at ail costs. Alcan while substantial quantities of material and a number of jdiiues are being sent to Syria. Darlan is paying lip-service to the instructions of the Council of Ministers that tho Syrian conflict should, be localised, but actually, now that General Weygaml has departed, Darlan is mamnuvring ia exactly the opposite direction. Well-informed quarters in Vx-by fear that unless a decision in Syria is reached, within a fortnight Darlan will be able to ensure intervention by the French fleet. The fact that most of the German planes formerly in Sicily are now massed in Tripolitania and along the Tunisian frontier, indicated one trend in FrancoGerman discussions. Vichy’s opponents in Franco are not only keenly disappointed but anxious over the slowness of the Allied advance in Syria. British broadcasts to France seem to suggest. that Britain continues to under-estimate the deadly nature of Darlan’s intrigues. Friendly Frenchmen insist that a British reverse in Syria would irreparably affect British prestige throughout France. NEWS STORY CUT OFF. LONDON, June IS.—The Associated Press correspondent at Helsinki (Finland) began telephoning a despatch, saying: “ The streets of Helsinki are crowded with uniformed men, women, and soldiers fully armed.” Tho Finnish censor then broke the telephone connection. D.F.M. AWARD. Advice has hoen received at Air Headquarters, Wellington, that Sergeant Frank Skipworth Kirko lias been awarded the D.F.AI. Kirko was born in. Wellington in 1917, and educated at Marlborough College, Blenheim. His next of kin is bis mother, Airs A. B. Kirko, of Owen street, Wellington. The official citation says that Kirko has completed many operations against the enemy as an air observer; that his navigation has ■been of the very highest order; be has always shown the greatest keenness in his work; and he has displayed outstanding ability and determination and. devotion to duty throughout.—Press Association. ASSAULT ON DAAIASCUS. An agency report states that India!) and Free French forces have reached the western suburbs of Damascus.