FRENCH IN AFRICA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1940, Page 5

FRENCH IN AFRICA

GENERAL NOGUE OBEYING ORDERS DEMOBILISATION OF ARMY. SOME SHIPS & AIR GROUPS WITH ALLIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. July 1. General de Gaulle, leader of the French National Committee movement, announced that he has appointed ViceAdmiral Muselier to be commander of the free French naval and air forces. Several ships and several air groups are already under the command of Admiral Muselier, who was a collaborator with M. Clemenceau, the French leader. in 1917-18. and he later commanded the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean.

The commander-in-chief of the French forces in Northern Africa, General Nogues, has obeyed General Weygand's orders for demobilisation of the army, says the Tangier correspondent of "The Times." The senior officers under General Nogues regard General de Gaulle as too young. FIGHTING IN SYRIA. The "Daily Telegraph” says that the situation in Syria is most confusing. Several officers round General Mittelhausen. including his chief of stall. Colonel de Carmillat, refused to carry out his orders and Colonel de Carmillat was arrested. Many officers and men are going to Palestine and fighting is believed to have occurred because General Mittelhausen ordered frontier troops to hall them. Discontent is rife throughout. French North Africa, the correspondent adds. The German and Italian armistice commission is expected in North Africa in 48 hours Io demilitarise the areas. Tiie armistice provides for disbanding of the Foreign Legion, but one battalion of the Foreign Legion, which came to England after serving at Narvik, has promised to follow General de Gaulle wherever he leads.