SOME PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1942, Page 3

SOME PROBLEMS

SOLVED BV THE DEATH OF DARLAN NO SIGNS OF DISTURBANCE IN FRENCH AFRICA. CONFIDENCE IN GENERAL GIRAUD. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright! LONDON, December 27. Some of the problems arising from Admiral Darlan’s death have already been solv- . ed, says the diplomatic writer of ‘The Times.” The British and American Governments discussed the wider problems at the weekend. Discussion among the many parties will proceed in London, Washington and North. Africa for some davs.

News of the assassination first and above all brought anxiety aboiit public order in North Africa. Darlan had been considered a who could maintain calm by the prestige of his name. Actually,' the French native populations of North Africa have been almost unmoved by the developments and indeed, there is hope that cooperation will substantially develop. The second problem which arose concerned the prospects of unity among the French forces in resisting the Axis. The plain fact is that Darlan’s record was not only the cause of disquiet among Allied peoples, but the main obstacle to unity between.the French forces in North Africa and the Fighting French. General de la Vigerie, General de Gaulle’s adjutant, has just returned from a mission to North Africa where he met General Giraud (Mr Churchill lunched with General de Gaulle and General de la Vigerie today). General Bathourd has arrived from America to represent General Giraud in order to help in the supply of material to French troops in North Africa. General de Gaulle and General Catroux, Commander-in-Chief of the Fighting" French in the Near East, arc going to Washington soon. There is nothing perhaps in these movements to suggest any easy prospects of agreement, but they certainly offer far better chances than France has so far had. Allied and neutral journals alike point to the possibilities of agreement, while the Fighting French authorities in London speak far differently of General Giraud than they ever did of Darlan. The Morocco radio says that all Rabat and Consantine newspapers today pay tribute to Giraud and signify satisfaction at his appointment as Darlan’s successor. The “Daily Mail” and the “Daily Express” editorially express confidence in Giraud.