DARLAN'S SUCCESSOR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 25, 29 December 1942, Page 5

DARLAN'S SUCCESSOR

APPROVED BY ALLIES

FRENCH DIFFICULTIES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (9.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 27. While expressing the highest approval of General Giraud's appointment, the New York Times in an editorial warns the people that "we cannot expect Darlan's blood to seal the compact, miraculously and instantaneously solving French political problems,. or expecting Frenchmen to abandon their

deeply-held convictions." "We must admit," the paper adds, "that a great gulf of political thinking separated the Fighting French from those loyal to Vichy until Hitler marched into Unoccupied France, but we hope that Frenchmen everywhere have confidence in the purposes of the American Government and understand our recognition of Darlan, and now General Giraud, as sheer acts of military expediency. We hope Frenchmen will seize the opportunity to subordinate their political convictions and recognise that the. first business of the day is the complete destruction of Hitler and his power to tyrannise, poison, and corrupt the Continent of Europe." The New York Herald-Tribune calls the appointment an important step towards the achievement of French unit, adding: "The wise British and American cultivation of this revived spirit will give tho Allies a mighty weapon in the common cause."

Endorsement of General Giraud's selection was contained in a statement by Mr Cordell Hull, who commented that General Giraud was a most fortunate choice and he was sure he would receive enthusiastic commendation. SOME PEOBLEMS SOLVED. A London cable states: Some of the problems arising from Darlan's death have already been solved, says the diplomatic writer of the Times. The British and American Governments discussed the wider problems at the week-end. Discussion among the many parties will proceed in London, Washington, and North Africa for some days. News of the assassination first and above all brought anxiety about public order in North Africa. Darlan had been considered the man who could maintain calm by the prestige of his name. Actually, the French native populations of North Africa have been almost unnioved by the developments, and, indeed, there is hope that co-operation will substantially develop. The second problem which arose concerned the prospects of unity among the French forces in resisting the Axis.

The plain fact is that Darlan's record was not only the cause of disquiet among Allied peoples, but was the main obstacle to unity between the French forces in North Africa and the Fighting French.

General de la Vigerio (General do Gaulle's adjutant) has just returned from a mission to North Africa where he was in contact with General Giraud. General Bathourd has arrived from America to represent General Giraud in order to help in the supply of material to French -troops in North Africa. General de Gaulle and General Catroux (Com-mander-in-Chief of the Fighting French in the Near East) are going to Washington soon. There is nothing perhaps in these movements to suggest any easy prospects of agreement, hut they certainly offer far better' chances than France has so far had. Allied and neutral journals alike point to the possibilities of agreement while the Fighting French authorities in London speak far differently of General Giraud than they ever did of Darlan. The Morocco radio says that all the Rabat and Constantino newspapers to-day pay tribute to General Giraud and signify satisfaction at his appointment as Darlan's successor. The Daily Mail and the Daily Express editorially express confidence in Goneral Giraud. U.S. LEADER PLEASED.

In Algiers to-day General Eisenhower told correspondents: "I think General Giraud will make a real contribution to the one important thing—the defeat of the Axis. I am delighted to have a man of General Giraud's reputation and character to deal with in North Africa."

French anti-Fascist organisations approve of the appointment of General Giraud as Commander-in-Chief of the French forces in North Africa.