ARRESTS AT ALGIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2 January 1943, Page 5

ARRESTS AT ALGIERS

ASSASSINATION PLOT ALLEGED (Recd. 10 p.m.) London, Dec. 31. Twelve persons were arrested at Algiers in connection with Darlan's assassination. General Giraud announced that the plotters had intended to kill himself and the American Minister. Mr. Murphy. "What I did was merely some interior cleaning. It would only be exciting passions to give international importance to a matter which is entirely French. Therefore the names of the arrested persons are being withheld. We arrested some people who helped the Allied landings, and also some who helped the Germans. I ordered the arrests in order to prevent another outrage like the assassination of Darlan. lam following the French principle that it is better to prevent than punish. My one aim is to win the war. There is but one enemy now —Germany.” General Giraud said the arrested persons were under preventive arrest and would not be shot.

One report quotes General Giraud as saying that some of his best friends were among those arrested, two of whom were described as “very prominent persons.”

Other sources state that the twelve arrested were charged on December 30 with plotting further assassinations, and that they include four police officials who allegedly had prior knowledge of the plot to assassinate Darlan and did not warn their superiors. The arrests were made between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. on December 30.

Different agency reports of General Giraud's Press conference give contradictory versions of his answers to a question whether any Laval appointees are still holding jobs in Algiers. Reuter’s Correspondent says General Giraud replied: ”1 do not think there are many such. I would like to know the names of some of them. Nobody supposes I have any friendly feelings for Laval.” Arrests At Algiers,

On the other hand the British United Press reports that Gen. Giraud said:—"l am not friendly with Laval. I do not believe any of his men hold jobs here." The Columbia Broadcasting System's Algiers correspondent says:— "There is an impression here that the fau'it of the preesnt Government of North Africa is that it consists of proVichy, anti-de Gaulle men. General Giraud said on December 30 that he did not see any pro-Vichy men in power, but the impression remains and actions like the arrest of a number of pro-AUied persons do not help to remove it.”

Receiving war correspondents at Allied Headquarters General Giraud admitted that the Tunisian campaign would be hard. “Fifty thousand Frenchmen are fighting there, but they have no modern equipment and are facing an enemy having most modern tanks. Fortunately, England and America are helping us with anti-air-craft guns and anti-tank guns, but we must also have planes and tanks. Do not think I am a pessimist. I am sure of victory, but it will require our most serious effort."