FRENCH PARTISANS

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1943, Page 5

FRENCH PARTISANS

NOT YET AGREED Giraud-De Gaulle Difference • [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, June 2. A deadlock has been reached oetween General De Gaulle and General Giraud. There was no meeting between the leaders this afternoon. General De Gaulle visited General Eisenhower this morning. The National Broadcasting Corporation’s Algiers correspondent says: General Giraud and General De Gaulle are wider apart than ever. General De Gaulle, with no authority, accepted M. Peyrouton’s resignation. Reuter’s correspondent at Algiers says: An official explanation nas been given of a bungle over the resignation of M. Peyirouton. He decided to resign and wrote- to both General Giraud and General De Gaulle, addressing each as chairman of the new French Central Executive Committee, a post which it is proposed they should hold alternatively. When the letter to General De Gaulle was released, shortly before midnight, General Giraud had not received his letter which did not arrive until the middle of the night and was issued to the press at 3 a'.m. The local French press published only the letter to General Giraud the explanation being that the French censorship on receiving the letter to General De Gaulle held it up for a ruling, but passed the letter to General Giraud immediately it was received. there is no doubt that the incident has created an unfortunate impression and has damped the hopes raised high last night by the original announcement about M. Peyrouton’s letter of resignation to General De Gaulle, which looked like the first move towards really bridging the gap oetween the two sides. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says it was learned authoritatively! to-night that the situation arising from the difference between the aelegations of General Giraud and General De Gaulle is by no means as baa as it appears on the surface. There is little doubt in official and responsible quarters that the whole problem may be cleaned up earlier than expected. The fact that General Eisenhower saw General De Gaulle to-day created a' further impression of an early settlement. . The Algiers radio reports that the conversations between General Giraud and General De Gaulle have been resumed. General De Gaulle, to-day, conceding that the political crisis was confused, said it would be regarded as a bad dream in French history. The principles of Fighting rrance would emerge triumphant and lead to Paris and victory. Speaking at a luncheon to members of the Britisii and American Press Association of Paris, General De Gaulle said: 10day we are in North Africa, to-moi-row we shall be in Marseilles, and on the following day in Paris.” t The Associated Press Algiers corresoondent reports that General Giraud has appointed Admiral Museliter as his Deputy; Commander-in-Chief and has charged him with , the maintenance of order in Algiers, lhe appointment of Admiral Muselier, a former member of the £ ignting French Hierarchy, who later broke with General De Gaulle after which he was regarded as a bitter opponent, will, it is believed, increase 'the present tension. General De Gaulß earlier had Admiral Muselier under house arrest in London, and Admira; Muselier is now the chief policeman in the area in which General De Gaulle operates. (Rec 7.20) LONDON, June 3. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Algiers correspondent says: It is understood that French troops in Algiers have beon confined to barracks for fear of demonstrations by sections unfavourable to General de Gaulle. The streets around the hotel where an official lunch was given General de Gaulle yesterday were cordoned off, ana police carefully inspected the guest’s credentials. The correspondent adds: General de Gaulle gives, the impression of confidence in his ability to win a campaign for popular support. The population is widely partisan, although it is beyond doubt that the younger section favours General de Gaulle. If something in the nature of an election campaign or open manoeuvring for popularity can be justified in wartime, undoubtedly Gen. de Gaulle holds the strongest cards. “The Times” correspondent in Aimers describes circumstances surrounding M. Peyrouton’s resignation as Governor-General as an ugly piece of mischief-making. He adds: It is not yet certain who was responsible, nor i s it apparent how the situation will be clarified. It is officially announced from Algiers that General de Gaulle, General Giraud and other members of the French Central Executive Committee will meet to-day.