FRENCH EXECUTIVE

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1943, Page 5

FRENCH EXECUTIVE

FIRST MEETING AT ALGIERS

Proves to be Stormy

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, June 1. The first meeting of the French Central Executive Committee in Algiers yesterday is reported to have been stormy. No communique was issued after the meeting, although one had been promised. The Algiers correspondent of the British Press Agency says: A temporary break-down has occurred in the negotiations between General de Gaulle and General Giraud. It is understood that General de Gaulle is pressing for the removal of M. Peyrouten and General Nogues who are stated to be suspected of Vichy sympathies. In a statement last night General Giraud denied that they had already resigned. It was officially announced at Algiers, according to an Agency messags, that seven members of the new French Central Executive Committee have so far been appointed. They will meet to-morrow.

The Algiers correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System says that members found they had several difficult questions to thrash out among them. In the question of personnel there were several highly placed members of the Giraud Administration whom General de Gaulle would like to see relieved of their posts, and also neither General Giraud nor General de Gaulle wishes to relinquish control-of his forces. An Algiers message quotes General Georges as saying: “I will contribute with all my power and energy to tne reunion of all Frenchmen. Salvation for France must be our only aim.”

An Algiers message stated that M. Peyrouten has resigned.

Peyrouton Takes Military Post

AFTER RESIGNING AS ALGIERS GOVERNOR. (Rec. 9.25.) LONDON, June 2. General de Gaulle has been appointed President of the French North African Executive Committee. The Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says:—This appointment was first revealed by M. Peyrouton’s resignation as Governor General of Algeria His letter of resignation was addressed to General de Gaulle, instead of to General Giraud, by whom M. Peyrouton was appointed. M. Peyrouton’s resignation letter emphasised that he was resigning solely for the sake of union among Frenchmen. General de Gaulle replied that he was sure that all Frechmen would be appreciate of M. Peyrouton’s gesture.” General de Gaulle added: “I ask you to consider yourself as mobilised, at the disposal of General Catroux, the General Commanding in the Levant, in your capacity as Captain of Colonial Infantry.” M. Peyrouton asked for a wartime post as an infantry Captain. M. Gonon, Secretary-general in Algeria, has been appointed Acting Goyernor-General in succession to M. Peyrouton The Fighting French National Committee met in London to-day, when General le Gentilhomme gave an account of affairs in Madagascar, and current matters were discussea. It is stated in Fighting french circles that so far no communication has been received from General ue Gaulle regarding his talks with General Giraud. A British News Agency correspondent stated: A radical change has occurred in Algiers in the last 24 hours. For months 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., bis wife and daughters 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.’"

De Gaulle’s Bid • FOR THE UPPER HAND. (Rec. 11.10.) NEW YORK, June 2. . The New York Times’s correspoii; dent in North Africa, Mr. Drew Miduleton, says: “With the resignation of M. Peyrouton as Governor-Gen-eral of Algiers, last shreds of General Giraud’s power slipped away. General de Gaulle won a political victory of a far-reaching significance, not only in the resignation itself, but in the fact that M. Peytouton submitted his resignation to General de Gaulle, and not to General Giraud. It is now evident that General de Gaulle, after forty-eight hours of aggressive political action, / has mastered French politics, and controls North Africa’s political destinies. General Giraud’s position has so deteriorated that it is possible that he may feel it necessary to offer to resign from the executive, and return to his military command in, the field.” Mr. Middleton says he believes that the’ entire political situation in North Africa is confused. He says: "it is evident that there still are wide differencs between Generals de Gaulle arid Giraud. This is a tragic situation. It arises, mainly, from General de Gaulle’s unbridled ambition to dominate the Executive Committee, and from General Giraud’s reluctance to? give in on points whereon he has already made a stand.” !

DE GAULLE’S WISHES.

DISMISSAL OF MORE ' COMMANDERS.

(Rec. 1.0.) LONDON, June 2. The Commercial Broadcasting System’s Algiers correspondent says: Apart from Generals Nogues and Boisson, men whom General de Gaulle wants disihissed, are General Mendigal, Chief of the French Air Forces; Admiral Michelier, Commander of the French Naval Forces; General Prioux, who is now on Gen'era] Giraud’s staff; General Bergeret, Commander’ of the French Air Forces in French West Africa. The de Gaullists say flatly that no real steps towards union can

be taken until these men are cleared out.

Algiers radio says Admiral Muselier has been appointed to command ,the Algerian navaL zone.

French Navals toyman Alexandria FLEET.

(Rec. 11.0.) NEW YORK. June 2. .■ Vice-Admiral Fenard, 'Chief of the French Naval Mission to the United States, said that, contrary to the general impression, there are thousands of experienced French . naval men in North Africa who will quickly supply crews for the French warshins in Alexandria. He explained that some are survivors of the warships that were sunk by the Allies last November. Others are' officers and men who were held in .reserve outside of France in view of the uncertainty of the French Fleet’s fate.