The Southland Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1941. The Dismissal of Weygand

Southland Times, Issue 24600, 24 November 1941, Page 4

The Southland Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1941. The Dismissal of Weygand

THE VICHY Government’s policy of collaboration with the Nazis reaches a new and ominous phase with the dismissal of General Weygand. First steps in this direction were taken three months ago, when Admiral’'Darlan was appointed Minister of National and Empire Defence. Until then General Weygand was answerable only to Marshal Petain for his direction of affairs in the North African colonies, and it was generally assumed that he stood apart from the inner group of proNazi collaborators. His attitude was probably negative, although the fact that the United States Government negotiated a trade agreement with him encouraged a belief in his moderateness. Admiral Darlan’s appointment was accompanied by reports of new German demands on Vichy. It was feared in Washington that the Nazis intended to obtain strategic bases on the African coast, and there were rumours of an impending break in American relations with Vichy. French officials were said to be confident that a rupture could be avoided because their Government “was expected neither flatly to reject nor completely to accept the German proposals.” It is hard to believe that American statesmen swallowed this hint, or that they really thought the Vichy politicians were temporizing with Hitler. But it may have suited them to accept the explanation until the drift of events became clearer. The removal of General Weygand seems to mean that the time for pretence is at an end, and that henceforth Admiral Darlan will place the keys of French Africa more firmly in the hands of his Nazi masters. In Washington Mr Cordell Hull announced that he “is endeavouring to assemble all the data,” which is almost exactly what he said when Admiral Darlan’s authority was increased three months ago. According to The New York Times, the State Department “will want indisputable proof that the French have decided to lend direct military assistance to the Germans” before it decides to break with Vichy. There can be little doubt, however, that the Americans are ready to take all steps which would be made necessary by a German seizure of strategic points. The danger is that, in relying to the last on diplomatic action, they may have to allow the Germans to secure a strong tactical advantage. German policy is foreshadowed plainly enough in a statement made in Berlin: “The defence of French . North Africa would assume a special importance in German eyes should the British offensive in Libya prove successful.” It must be remembered that Vichy policy is based on the assumption that Germany will win the war. The French leaders understand that, if this assumption is incorrect, they are doomed meji. There must come a time, therefore, when the border between secret collaboration and open alliance with Germany will have to be crossed. All the evidence suggests that that fateful moment will arrive when the Axis forces are defeated in Libya.