ALLIED POLICY IN NORTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 104, 27 January 1943, Page 5

ALLIED POLICY IN NORTH AFRICA

Blunt Press Comments IMPORTANCE OF AIR SUPERIORITY (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received January 26, 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 25. Expectation of a statement by the United Nations has been a matter for speculation in most of the newspapers in the past few days. Commentators in both London and Washington are using such phrases as "the broad outlines of the pattern fur victory” and "one-world strategy unifying the plans of the Allies.” . . One guess is that the plans will include something approaching an Allied War Council, comprising Britain, America, Russia, and China, and also some clear-cut policy regarding French North Africa. Regarding the North African position ‘‘Tlie Economist” makes some of tlie bluntest cojnments yet published. ‘‘There is now sufficient evidence from North Africa to show that one of the reasons why the Tunisian campaign is hanging tire is tlie degree of political sabotage and economic dislocation behind the lines,” it says. “Tangier is still an entry and exit point for German agents. There is a steady leak of information through functionairies of all grades. Some reports speak of sabotage within the transport system, which is at best inadequate.

Psychological sabotage, whispering campaigns, and the relating of rumours continue on a large scale. Economically, the most serious factor is the shortage of food and textiles. The ‘•Economist” says there is some danger of food rioting and that there is a plague of hoarding, profiteering, and black marketing. It refers to the “brave ami vigorous but somewhat bewildered figure of General Giraud. It suggests that the temporary arrangements Admiral Darlan made to reinforce his position must be rescinded in favour of a representative authority, and that honest “attentisteo of the Weygand and Tassigny type, who were purged in 1011, are probably the most reliable. Firmness Called For.

Regarding the economic position, it suggests the introduction of the methods used in Syria. "Each week lost in North Africa is a set-back to the total strategy of the war. Only firm action in cleansing tlie bureaucracy and ending the economic crisis cun give the Allies the security they need behind the lines, and action must be speedy.” The general rejoicing over tlie tall of Tripoli is followed by greater attention to Tunisia. It is accepted that ousting the Germans will be extremely hard. One view is that the Germans are in a strong position. Ou condition they have air suiierloi'ijy they can employ it to guard sea supplies and communications between Bizerta and Sicily. This, it is suggested, they lack, and will lack more and more. Another view is that the position for tlie Allies might be considered menacing if the Eighth Army’s victory were left out of account, and it is the Eighth Army that important assistance is looked from.

Commenting on the “more confused political situation” the "Observer” says “it is difficult to escape the impression that we have all the time been busy in French North Africa preparing ourselves for the daggers which might stab us in the back at the first military reverse.”