KEEN CONCERN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1942, Page 4

KEEN CONCERN

EXPRESSED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS — OVER RECOGNITION GIVEN TO DARLAN. MR EDEN SHARPLY HECKLED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. When Mr Eden, as Leader of the House of Commons, announced the business for the sitting, Mr Aneurin Bevan started a noisy discussion by asking for an early opportunity to discuss his motion relating to Darlan's position—-a motion declaring—that the House “is of opinion that cur relations with Darlan and his kind are inconsistent with the ideals for which we entered tho war.” “There is a considerably disturbed opinion about this question in Britain, and a large number of members of the House of Commons are also disturbed," said Mr Bevan. "Is it not proper that the House should have an opportunity to discuss the subject before we are irretrievably committed to establishing Darlan in North Africa, and to an extension of the same policy in other fields of foreign policy?” Mr Eden said: “That certainly would be proper, but the Government has to bear in mind whether it is timely in relation to the military operations.” Mr Gallacher: “Is it a fact that a pro-, tocol has been prepared and will bej signed shortly making Darlan Permanent High Commissioner in North Africa?”

Cries of “Answer!” Mr Speaker: “Mr Eden has already answered that question.” Cries of “No!” Mr Eden: “My position is quite plain. I gave yesterday all the information I could in relation to this subject, which is not purely or even mainly a British subject. The United States is the principal party.” Mr Granville: “In view of serious reports that the Fighting French are no longer broadcasting, will an opportunity be given for a debate on the subject?”

Mr Eden: “It is not due to any action of ours, nor of our volition, that this broadcasting has temporarily stopped. I am doing everything I can to bring about the earliest resumption.” Replying to another question, Mr Eden said: “The military power in North Africa is that of the United States, and the present civilian power is the French power. Our position has to be related to those two facts. Members of the House must realise that we are dealing with an extremely delicate situation at a moment when British and American troops are engaged in a most critical phase of the campaign.”

REPORT DENIED NO MISSION FROM DARLAN TO BRITAIN. (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. It is authoritatively stated that there is no truth in a report, that Admiral Darlan is sending a mission to Britain. The Dakar radio broadcast a speech by the vice-president of the “Black Africa Legion” emphasising that all its members were now under Darlan’s orders. The radio gave the texts of telegrams between General Boisson and the governors of Dakar, Togoland, Guinea, Dahomey and French Sudan giving assurances of mutual support, but not referring to Darlan. It is officially announced in Vichy that the Secretary for the Navy, Admiral Abrial, has been appointed Com-mander-in-Chief of the Vichy naval forces. Vice-Admiral Leluc has been appointed as the new Chief of the Naval General Staff.