AFRICAN BASES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20630, 11 August 1941, Page 5

AFRICAN BASES

NAZI PRESSURE CRISIS IN VICHY ANTI-RUSSIAN PACT? "PROMISES BY REICH (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Pres 9 Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 11, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 10. Rumours of imminent “sensational events” were persistent in Vichy yesterday and the police force was doubled in all the big towns of unoccupied France, says the correspondent of the Daily Mail on the French frontier. General Weygand, delegate -general in North Africa, has arrived in Vichy from Africa and with the Vice-Pre-mier, Admiral Darlan, conferred with the Chief of State, Marshal Petain. It is believed that General Weygand’s visit is in consequence of lire German pressure for air and naval bases at Dakar, Casablanca and Algiers. Anxiety is spreading throughout Morocco over the Vichy Government's attitude towards the Axis. Since August 5 leave has been stopped for all Spanish troops in Morocco. Wellinformed quarters think that a Spanish move to Morocco is not improbable. The Madrid correspondent of the Daily Mail says although the manufacture ot planes is banned under the armistice, Germany is allowing the French to build squadrons of fighters and bombers for the defence of the French North African colonies. Permission by Darlan It is also reported that Admiral Darlan is permitting the removal of heavy calibre guns from the French mainland to Casablanca and Dakar. According to a report from Vichy, M, Debrinon, the Vichy Government representative in Paris, in an interview, said that France had decided to accept the German version of a new world order, as opposed to the AngloAmerican version. France should decide to collaborate with Germany, which was no affair of President Roosevelt and the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Wells. France would not tolerate an American effort to control French policy in the name of a superannuated political system. Offensive and Defensive If they have not already done so, the Vichy Government is on the point of signing an offensive and defensive agreement with Germany against Russia, declares the New York Times’ correspondent, Mr. Daniel Brigham, in a dispatch from Switzerland. Though the agreement provides foi the eventual shipment of French soldiers to the eastern front, it will at present be confined to increasing French deliveries of war material to Germany. In return, the Reich promises to release certain classes of prisoners and may also agree to retire from Paris, but this is contingent on the Vichy Government granting bases at Dakar and Casablanca. The agreement originated from M. Laval. Admiral Darlan is believed to have forced it through, despite the opposition of General Weygand and certain members of the Vichy Cabinet. The Vichy Cabinet has demanded the liberation of General Dentz.