VICHY NAVY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1941, Page 6

VICHY NAVY

EXPANSION WITH NAZI PERMISSION RELEASE OF MATERIALS. HOPE OF PROVOKING CLASH WITH BRITAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 16. The Vichy Government has secured Germany’s permission to reestablish 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 Admiral Darlan through M. De Brinon, 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 Frency Navy. GENERAL JUIN EXPECTED TO SUCCEED HUNTZIGER. (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 16. General Alphonse Juin, Commander-in-Chief of the Vichy forces in Morocco, has arrived at Vichy in response to a call from tne Government. Political quarters believe that General Juin will succeed General Huntziger. General Juin, who is 52 years of age, is one of the youngest French generals. He commanded a motorised division in the present war. The post held by the late General Huntziger was not that of War Minister, but that of Secretary of State for War, under the superior authority of Admiral Darlan as Minister of National and Empire Defence. It is no doubt, to the same subordinate post that General Juin is now expected to succeed.