DEVIOUS TACTICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1941, Page 5

DEVIOUS TACTICS

PURSUED BV DARLAN CONSPIRACY WITH NAZIS. USE OF FRENCH FLEET IN QUESTION. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, June 18. The Vichy Vice-Premier, Admiral Darlan, has opened further military conversations with Berlin with the object of devising joint French and German measures to prevent United States intervention against the French African possessions or the seizure of Dakar, according to a correspendent of “The Times” on the French frontier. The Germans are reproaching Admiral Darlan for allowing the British to forestall the Axis in Syria, and are insisting that American intervention must be prevented at all costs. Meanwhile substantial quantities of material and a number of planes are being sent to Syria. Admiral Darlan is paying lip service to the instructions of the Council of Ministers that the Syrian conflict should be localised, but actually, now that General Weygand has departed. Admiral Darlan is manoeuvring' in exactly the opposite direction. Well-informed quarters in Vichy, the correspondent states, fear that unless a decision in Syria is reached in a fortnight, Admiral Darlan will be able to secure intervention by the French fleet. The fact that most of the German planes which were formerly in Sicily are now massed in Tripolitania along the Tunisian frontier indicates one trend of Franco-German discussions.

Opponents in France of the Vichy Government are not only keenly disappointed, but anxious, over the slowness of the Allied advance in Syria. Moreover, British broadcasts to France seem to suggest that Britain continues to under-estimate the deadly nature of Admiral Darlan’s intrigues. Friendly Frenchmen insist that a British reverse in Syria would irreparably aflect British prestige throughout France. Admiral Darlan, in a broadcast from Vichy, offered the Free French soldiers in Syria an amnesty if they joined General Dentz, but declared that their officers would be punished if they were caught.

“I speak in the name of Marshal Petain,” he said. “You are engaged in battle against your brothers. I know you are courageous, but if you understood the history of France you would know that our main task is to safeguard a united France under Marshal Petain.”

IN VARIOUS THEATRES BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, June 19. A Cairo headquarters communique states: “There is nothing of importance to report from Libya. “While patriot forces are steadily increasing their pressure on the Italian garrisons in the Gondar district, our own troops are continuing their advance on Debra and Tabor. In southern areas operations are progressing satisfactorily. “There is no change in Iraq. “Progress was again made in the coastal sector of Syria while further important positions have been captured just south of Damascus. In the central sector Allied troops successfully reoccupied Kuneitra, while a strong Vichy force at Nerjayoum now has [been surrounded.”

A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “Enemy aircraft approached Malta yesterday on two occasions, but owing to interception the raids did not materialise. An enemy machine, a K2OO fighter, was shot down and others were badly aamaged.” CLEARED FOR ACTION WITHDRAWAL OF CIVILIANS FROM CYPRUS. LONDON, June 18. Practically all British women, numbering 1000, as well as British children and aged persons have been evacuated from the island of Cyprus. Jews, and 500 Poles who fled from their country after the invasion, have also been taken off the island. . Asked in London today whether adequate steps had been taken to ensure the provision of essential foodstuffs for the population of Cyprus “as the war in the Mediterranean develops,” the Colonial Under-Secretary, Mr G. H. Hall, stated: “The food position in the island gives no cause for anxiety.” He added that though exports from Cyprus to Britain of citrus fruit and other produce have practically ceased because of war conditions, every endeavour is being made to dispose of them in markets nearer the colony."