“MOST HATED MAN IN FRANCE"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 27 November 1942, Page 5

“MOST HATED MAN IN FRANCE"

FRENCH AIR FORCE OFFICER’S COMMENT (Rec. 10.35 a.m.) London, Nov. 25. “North Africa has been given into the hands of the most completely hated and despised man in France,” declared General de la Vigrie, of the French Air Force who arrived from France to join General de Gaulle. The French people wanted a leader above shady dealings and they chose de Gaulle. “We desire that de Gaulle should be entrusted to establishing the North Africa political regime similar to those in other parts of the French empire which has always given allegiance to the Allies. The Darlan regime is the Vichy regime and incompatible with the laws of the French republic whereto we have always adhered, but it is useless to discuss a French North African Government until it is known how far England can convince the United States that North Africa must be placed under General de Gaulle. General Nogues gave up his intention to carry on the fight in North Africa after the French armistice with Germany, when Marshal Petain told him to submit or resign. General Nogues’ political attitude has always been unstable.” BROADCAST DISCONTINUED The voice of the Fighting French which has broadcast from London twice daily since June, 1940, was silent the first time to-day. The usual military spokesman explained: “As long as Darlan is retained as head in North Africa I cannot conscientiously continue to send messages because it is impossible to make Darlan’s appointment clear to the French people.” Mr Aneurin Bevan (1.L.) and Mr R. J. G. Boothby (C), were among the signatories to a motion tabled in the House of Commons declaring: “The House is of opinion that our relations with Darlan and his kind are inconsistent with the ideals for which we entered the war.”