DARLAN’S REGIME

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1942, Page 5

DARLAN’S REGIME

In North Africa AMERICAN SATISFACTION FRENCH GENERALS JOIN UP, [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, Nov. 16. Admiral Darlan has declared a clean break with the Vichy Government. He has announced that he will form a great French colonial army to “take up the fight for liberty alongside our old ally Britain, and our new ally the United States.” He adds he considers Marshal Petain a prisoner of war, and that he himself is thus completely independent.

Admiral Darlan says that in his new project he will have the assistance of Generals Giraud, Nogues, Juin and Barre.

Admiral Darlan has appointed General Giraud as Commander-in-Chief of the French forces in North Africa.

A Vichy message states that Marshal Petain has refused to recognise General Giraud, whom he calls a traitor.

A proclamation by General Giraud broadcast by the Morocco radio stated: “I have been appointed by Admiral Darlan to assume command of the French ground and air forces in Africa. I know you and you know me. We have omy one enemy, who has occupied our country, and is holding 1,000,000 of our comrades as prisoners. We shall chase him first out of Africa and then out of France. Our task will be hard. Our enemy is brave- and well equipped. I am certain you will stand up splendidlv in this fight in order to show what you are capable of. Whoever has taken up arms against you has paid tribute to your valour. I salute with painful emotion those brave men who heroically sacrificed themselves to their ideals. We are united in our loss of France. We have only one passion—victory.” The Allied Commander-in-Chief in North Africa (Lieutenant-General Dwight D. Eisenhower) announced his full approval of the civil and military organisation which Admiral Darlan had established. The “Manchester Guardian’s” diplomatic correspondent comments that the United States practice to France has been different from Britain’s, though both aim to restore France. America recognised French authority where it existed, both Vichy and the Fighting French whereas Britain had no relations with Vichy but recognised General De Gaulle and his Fighting French. The Americans may be considering helping to establish a newer and bigger French Government in North Africa. Meanwhile, political advisers have arrived at Allied Headquarters in North Africa from Britain.

The Vichy correspondent of the German controlled Scandinavian News Agency states that Chautemps, Flandin ' and Bucheu escaped from Vichy France to participate in the formation of the new French Government in North Africa. Marcel Peyrouten, former Vichy Minister for Interior also escaped to North Africa. Chautemps is reported to have joined Giraud’s forces as a private and was sent to Washington on a special mission. Pucheu was a memoer of the Croiz De Feu. and also once Vichy Minister for Interior. In Tunisia French military units have begun to co-operate with the eastern and centre task forces at their station. The clearance and maintenance of ports and harbours proceeds. President Roosevelt has extended lend-lease to the people of the North African territories occupied by the United States troops. “No one will go hungry or without other means of livelihood in any territory occupied by the United Nations, if it is humanly within our power to make the necessary supplies available,” said President Roosevelt. “Weapons will also be supplied to the peoples of these territories to hasten the defeat of the Axis.”

Mr Roosevelt revealed that despite requirements of the North African expedition, lend-lease to the Allies in October totalled over 915 million dollars or more than one-third higher than any previous month. In the past four months, 2713 million dollars worth of goods and services have been sent to the- Allies. Two-thirds of the goods were military items, including a large number of planes, which played an important part in the battle of Egypt.

DARLAN'S COUNCIL. SET UP IN PETAIN’S NAME. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 10.0.) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Morocco (Allied) radio says Admiral Darlan, in Marshal Petain's name, has formed a Legislative Council to assist him as High Commissioner for French North Africa. General Eisenhower pays a tribute to General Patton and Admiral Hewitt for the conduct of operations on the west coast of French Morocco. He added: “The work of the unblocking and improving of harbours is progressing satisfactorily. It is obvious that General Patton has the situation in hand. General Nogues is co-oper-atiny effectively and enthusiastically.”

DARLAN’S STATUS, 8.8. C. ACCOUNT (Rec. 11.0.) LONDON, Nov. 17. The British Broadcasting Corporation European service has thrown some light op Admiral Darlan’s status. The announcer said: “Unofficial British and American press comment has taken a critical attitude towards the Allied acceptance of Admiral Darlan’s assistance. In. Algeria, It is understood, Admiral Darlan has been accepted in his present functions for strictly military reasons, because it is desirable to ensure that the civilian services there shall be smoothly operated while the fighting continues.” The announcer quoted “The Times” diplomatic correspondent as saying: “Admiral Darlan enjoys a temporary status, which might have its uses in expediting a broad armistice, which the Allies desire, and in leading to the setting up of a solid authority.”

DE GAULLIST STATEMENT

DARI.AN FOILING LAVAL? i (Rec. 8.0) LONDON, Nov. 16. A spokesman of the Fighting French said their National Committee had issued their statement regarding Admiral Darlan because new's they received, privately, from France in the last few days had revealed French people as showing great consternation and bewilderment that the Allies apparently are treating Admiral Darlan on a basis of equality. The Fighting French headquarters, he said, had no desire to interfere in any political or military strategy that! was considered expedient during the occupation of North Africa. There was nothing personal in their headquarter’s statement. Fighting French leaders considered that their sole' function was to represent Frenchmen who were unable to provide their own representatives. Feelings of French people had been conveyed to London. Therefore the Fighting French felt bound to adopt the same attitude. He

said French people suspected Admiral Darlan was taking an opportunity to get his own back on M. Laval.

British Press Criticism OF DARLAN'S NEW POSITION DE GAULLE DISSATISFIED [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] ■ LONDON, Nov. 16. Surprise has been caused in London by the announcement, from Algiers that Darlan is to head the French North African Government. General de Gaulle and the French National Committee announce that they are taking no part whatsover in, ‘ and assuming no responsibility for, the negotiations in progress in North Africa with representatives of Vichy. Should these negotiations result in arrangements which in effect confirm the Vichy regime in North Africa, such decisions could obviously not be accepted by Fighting France. The- union of all French territories overseas, in the struggle for liberation, should be achieved in conditions consonant with the will and dignity of the French people. It. is revealed in London that the British diplomatic advisers have gone to North Africa in order to define Darlan’s position. Admiral Darlan’s position in relation to the Allies is causing some perplexity. Officially there is a disinclination to discuss Darlan or the political implications of the new situation.

“The Times” diplomatic correspondent says: Darlan’s appointment will puzzle patriots resisting in all the Axis-controlled countries. It is felt that in some guarters here that this trading with discredited men is extremely dangerous. The “News-Chronicle” says: French people in particular will want to know something more about our dealings with Darlan. “The Times” diplomatic correspondent says that light might be thrown on the situation by a fuller explanation from Washington or by Gen. Eisenhower. “As a matter of plain reporting,” he says, “it must be said that few people at present like granting status to a man who publicly and often proclaimed the need to collaborate- with the enemies of Britain, America and France itself. No doubt the status is only temporary for, if it were anything more, care would have been taken lest bewilderment should grow in France (where Darlan for a long period has been the second most disliked man), and other occupied countries. A temporary status might have its uses in expediting a broad armistice, which all the Allies desire, leading to the establishment of solid authority.”

Darlan Disowned

BY LAVAL’S GOVERNMENT LONDON, Nov. 16. The Vichy radio broadcast a declaration in the name of Marshal Petain declaring that Admiral Darlan is dismissed from all public functions and military commands. Marshal Petain replied to Darlan’s proclamation saying: “Darlan dares to affirm I am unable to make my thoughts known to the French people. He claims to be acting on my behalf. When Africa was attacked, I entrusted Darlan with the defence of the French sovereignty. In the very first engagement Darlan did not hesitate to contact with the assailant. In giving the premature order to cease fire, Darlan disorganised resistance and shattered the morale of the troops. I several times confirmed to him my order to defend Africa. He disregarded it, under the pretext of preventing the Chief Rebel Felon, Giraud, from usurping command of the troops. Darlan therefore put himself outside the' national community. I declare him bereft of all public office and military commands.” Many London observers believe that. Petain fully approves the Allies’ action in French North Africa. Petain’s disavowal of Darlan and his order to him to continue to fight the Allied forces is considered to be given under compulsion from Germany. — VICHY ORDERS.

(Rec. 8.5.) LONDON, Nov. 16. The Vichy radio says that the French military authorities have ordered the North African officers who are still loyal to Marshal Petain to recruit guerrillas from the local population.

French Guards

REPULSE GERMANS NEAR TUNIS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 10.10.) LONDON, Nov. 16. The Algiers radio quotes a report from the Allied North African Headquarters regarding hostilities in Tunisia, between French and Axis Forces. It says: The first military clash between French and Axis troops occurred on Sunday. It was five miles north-west of the city of Tunis, on the north Tunisian coast. A battalion of French Guards met a German reconnaissance unit, which was composed of motor cyclists and armoured vehicles. The French opened fire,' forcing the Germans to retreat.

FRENCH SABOTAGE IN TUNISIA.

(Rec. 11.20.) LONDON, Nov. 17. “The Times” correspondent at the Allied Headquarters in North Africa says: “As soon as the French knew that the Germans were coming to Tunisia, they scuttled ships in the harbours, and took away all moveable defences, such as anti-aircraft guns, and also all transport and petrol. The opinion is expressed that the main object of Axis forces in Tunisia was to hold ports to 1 enable Marshal Von Rommel’s forces to get out of Africa. FRENCH FLEET LONDON, Nov. 16. Observers in London say that the German troops are now in a position to prevent the French warships going to sea, but whether Hitler will be able to make use of the fleet, which is reliably reported to be far from in fighting trim, is very doubtful. British and American' naval power in the Western Mediterranean is formidable, especially against a fleet whose loyalties are divided.

The French fleet at Toulon is awaiting battle orders, reports the Faris radio. The Governor of Toulon has banned the entry into the port of all non-residents. FRENCH SCUTTLING OF SHIPS (Rec. 12.10) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Paris radio has warned French seamen and shipowners that Statetribunals will in future 'deal with the scuttling of ships, for which there will be sever e penalties, and sentence of death may be imposed.

SULTAN OF MOROCCO. (Rec. 11.55.)) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Morocco (Allied) radio stated that the Sultan of Morocco has received General Nogues and General Patton, who gave him assurances that the Allied troops had been, ordered to respect Moslem customs.