DE GAULLE AND GIRAUD

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23963, 2 June 1943, Page 3

DE GAULLE AND GIRAUD

TALKS IN ALGIERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS (N.Z.PA.—8.0.W.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. The Algiers radio says that the talks between General Giraud and General de Gaulle on French unity lasted for three hours, but no details have yet been released. _ The French Central Executive Committee, which is the new governing body, met for the first time yesterday at Algiers. Present were General Giraud, General de Gaulle, General Catroux. General Georges, M. Massigli, M. Philip, and M. Monnet. M. Monnet, a diplomat and financier, was chosen as chairman of the British and French Co-ordination Committee for the purchase of supplies on the outbreak of war. The Morocco radio yesterday said that General Georges and M. Monnet had been appointed to the French Central Executive Committee by General Giraud. Agency messages say that Mr Harold McMillan, the British Minister m North Africa, and the American Ambassador (Mr Robert Murphy) will meet General de Gaulle to-day. The correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System says that things are moving really fast. A new chapter has begun for Frenchmen in North Africa, and also France. Referring to the executive committee, the correspondent states that it will form the nucleus of a body which will manage the affairs of France at war. The moral effect on Frenchmen in North Africa is tremendous. They have a feeling that something new has happened in North Africa. “New Chapter Opens” “The Third Republic is finished, and a new chapter opens in the political development of France,” says the "Daily Mail,” referring to the meeting of the French Central Executive Committee. “The committee is ‘now in being,’ though at present only seven of the nine members have been chosen.” The “Daily Mail” describes the committee as “in other words, a provisional French Government.” • The British United Press correspondent in Algiers says that the first reports indicate that each member of the committee will be given special authority in various spheres. It is understood that General de Gaulle is very anxious that the committee'should have as many features as possible of a regular Government. General Giraud’s position remains to be cleared up. He is at present both a member of the committee and' Com-mander-in-Chief of the French Forces in North Africa. It appears that he will retain both posts. General de Gaulle is reported to be emphasising the question of representation of the executive committee abroad. In the meantime, the correspondent adds, the people of Algeria are enthusiastic about the committee’s meet-, ing,, which they regard as the real beginning of French unity. Changed Conditions “A radical change has occurred in Algiers in the last 24 hours,” states an agency correspondent there. “For months,” he says, “the town had been under the strictest censorship. The right of public assembly had been suppressed. The prisons were still filled with political prisoners. Sometimes fighting was going on and families were divided. A father did not return home to lunch because of political differences in his family. His wife and daughter were for General Giraud; his sons for General de Gaulle. Life was unbearable. To-day they celebrated the union. “The name of General de Gaulle is still strictly taboo, but twice as many soldiers were wearing his medal under their capes yesterday. General Giraud's picture is everywhere in the papers, together with that of General de Gaulle. Only a week ago the latter’s London speech did not appear in the press. Now the newspapers print General de Gaulle's interview to war correspondents with flashing headlines, and report the scene at the, war’ monument and the formidable ovation General de Gaulle received. At the corner of the central square last night painters were finishing a huge sign: ‘Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite’.” The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press says it is learned that General Giraud’s greeting as General de Gaulle stepped from his aeroplane was: “Bon jour. General de Gaulle.” General de Gaulle replied; “J3on jour, mon General,” thus recognising General Giraud as his superior in rank, as “mon” before rank is used in addressing superior officers. General de Gaulle has given an active assignment with the French Air Combat Group to General Vuiljemin, the former Commander-in-Chief of the French Air Forces. General de Gaulle received General Vuillemin after his arrival in Algiers and gave him a new commission with the rank of lieuten-ant-colonel, FRENCH SHIPS AT ALEXANDRIA “NO IMMEDIATE NAVAL GAIN ” LONDON, May 31. The acquisition by the Allied naval forces of the French squadron from Alexandria will be of psychological value'to the Allied cause and depressing to the Axis,” states Reuter’s naval correspondent. “It does not mean any immediate naval gain. The move should be judged rather from a longterm viewpoint. None of these vessels may possibly be immediately useful, as they have been lying immobile for three years.. Although the machinery has been well looked after, it will be many months before they are battleworthy. The old battleship Lorraine is only of limited value.” The Exchange Telegraph Agency states that Admiral Godefroy, the commander of the squadron, joined the Allies of-his own free will, after negotiations with General Giraud, concerning which Britain was kept fully informed. AXIS PRISONERS IN AFRICA LONDON, May 1 31. How Axis prisoners in Allied hands in North Africa are being treated has been revealed by a correspondent in North Africa. He says that many prisoners are still being taken to camps in the rear. One camp he visited held 3000 Germans and another 8000 Italians. The Germans, on the whole, were taking captivity better than the Italians. The Germans, in their traditional military manner, had organised their own leaders and were better under discipline. On the other hand, the Italians appeared to be only too anxious to finish with military life and in some camps they rebelled against their own officers. Some of these officers had asked British officers to form an armed guard outside their line, because they were afraid of being attacked. IMPORTANCE OF FISH AS FOOD (Hoc. 7 p.m.)' HOT SPRINGS, MAY 31. The Canadian, British, Icelandic, and Norwegian delegations to the United Nations’ Food Conference at Hot Springs have submitted a resolution emphasising the importance of fish and marine products in the discussions of the conference. The resolution pointed out (1) the importance of such products for diet arid nutrition; (2) the importance of such production to livelihood in certain countries: and (3) the importance (ft such questions in a programme of immediate or long-term food requirements.