BASES FOR NAZIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20627, 1 December 1941, Page 5

BASES FOR NAZIS

DARLAN PROMPTING ASSISTANCE IN AFRICA FREE FRENCH WARNINGS ‘Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 1. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The Daily Mail’s Madrid correspondent says the Vichy Government is reported to have agreed to allow Germany the full use of air bases at Toulon and Bizerta in oraer to supply and reinforce General Rommel's forces in Libya. Germany first demanded full use of the ports of Toulon and Bizerta, but Marshal Petain refused, despite strong representations from Admiral Darlan. Marshal Petain agreed to the use of air bases only after stronger promptings from Admiral Darlan. Meanwhile, a constant stream of French ships is taking supplies from Marseilles to French Tunisia. The Vichy Government has issued an assurance that North African air and naval bases will not be ceded to Germany. , The Brazzaville radio says tna. Morocco is packed with German agents who are so numerous that they could easily be formed into an efficient army of aggression. Local armistice commissions are everywhere. A commission numbering 200 is at the small port of Fdala, near Casablanca, where there are important peti ol dumps. The commission at Meknes numbers 150. Fifty-six agents are a. Marrakesh, which controls the cobalt mines and the whole of southern Morocco. Other agents devote attention to the batteries .at Agadir ano other coastal strongholds. German submarines have so far not refuelled at Casablanca, but refuel at secret bases along the coast. At least 500 Vichy planes stand by at important airports near Rabat, Fez and Marrakesh. The majority was delivered before the armistice. A report that 100 French planes had left African bases to the join the British in Egypt is denied in Vichy. The United Press of America states that private despatches received report that 100 French planes from Tunisia had joined the British forces in Libya last week.