VICHY ALARMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24125, 18 November 1941, Page 7

VICHY ALARMED

NORTH AFRICA'S PLIGHT GERMAN INFILTRATION STRONGER FRENCH NAVY (Reed. 7.56 p.m.) LONDON", Nov. 17 The members of the Vichy Government, including Petain and Darlan, are considerably alarmed at the German infiltration in North Africa, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Mail. An important German mission, headed by the son of von Neurath, former "Protector" of Bohemia and Moravia, has just arrived in North Africa on a visit of inspection. French officers and the rank and file are becoming restive as a consequence of the continued infiltration, because they realise that the Franco-G-erman armistice is nothing but a trick.

Fears Confirmed General Huntziger was sent to North Africa to investigate the situation, says the correspondent, and, after confirming Vichy's worst fears, was returning when his aeroplane orashed last week and he was killed. German experts are now flowing into Tunis, Algeria and Morocco. Mostly they are described as economists and teachers, but really they are reinforcements for the German Africa Corps, which is fastening its grip on French North Africa. The Governor of the French North African Colonies, General Weygand, has returned to Vichy on instructions from Marshal Petain. General Alphonse Juin, Commander-in-Chief of the Vichy forces in Morocco, has arrived in Vichy in response to a call from the Government. Political quarters believe that he will succeed General Huntziger. General Juin is 52 years old and one of the youngest French generals. He commanded a motorised division in the present war. Conferences were held in Vichy yesterday between Marshal Petain and Abetz, the German Ambassador in Paris. Franco-German relations were discussed, and also the question of a successor to Huntziger as Minister of War. The Germans are reported to favour the appointment of Weygand. Germany and Vichy Navy The Vichy Government has secured Germany's permission to re-establish and enlarge the French Navy, says the Sunday Times. The Germans intend to give the Vichy Government full control of the navy in the hope that it will challenge British naval superiority. Permission to carry out the re-estab-lishment programme was secured by Darlan through de Brinon, Vichy Minister in Paris, who has just returned to Paris from a visit to Hitler's headquarters on the eastern front. Materials have been released by the Germans for the French naval dockyards and gunshops. New barracks and additional repair shops are being constructed at Toulon, Bizerta, Oran and Casablanca. Naval recruiting is being extended and more men are being trained than can be absorbed by the present ship strength of the French Navy.

MEMORABLE WEEK PARITY IN THE AIR AMERICAN AID AT SEA (Reed. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16 A memorable week, which included the passing of the Neutrality Revision Bill by the American Congress and the assurance by Mr. Churchill that Britain now possessed air parity with Germany, is discussed in the press, says the British official wireless. The "great tidings" of air parity are mentioned by .7. L. Garvin in the Observer. However, he adds a warning that the achievement brings no corollary of relaxation of effort. "Remember three things," he says. "Firstly, we owe our improved position partly to the Russian destruction of Nazi aircraft. Secondly, to get the upper hand again Hitler will make furious exertions through the winter months. Thirdly, parity, however good by comparison with German equality, is not enough." He adds that America and Britain together can treble the Nazi output, and says: "To make sure of that goal is the shortest way to absolute victory. The Nazis hoped for all from the terrorism of their Luftwaffe. They will lose all by its destruction." The contribution of the United States to the week's news, Mr. Garvin describes as the "President's greatest triumph since the gigantic Lease-Lend Act." He adds: "In the United States, more widely and massively than anywhere else, the foundations of ultimate victory are being laid." Mr. Garvin concludes: "It is as good as certain that Hitler, by a colossal output through the winter, will prepare his culminating attack on this island and the Empire in the spring. To met him and beat him then we must begin now. We must start without delay to swing up our production to the peak." ' i