OPEN SUSPICIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1941, Page 6

OPEN SUSPICIONS

OF GENERAL WEYGAND EXPRESSED IN GERMAN NEWSPAPER. INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY IN NORTH AFRICA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright* (Received This Day. 11.40 a.m.) ZURICH. February 3. The first open expression in the German Press of suspicion of General Weygand’s activities in North Africa comes from “Das Reich,” which says! “The British offensive in Libya is affecting the neighbouring French possessions, especially as the population displays little understanding of the reality of France’s defeat. "Many French colonial military authorities." it is added "maintain that France and not the French Empire has been defeated and French airmen continue to desert to General de Gaulle. General Weygand has received from Marshal Petain an unusual degree of authority and freedom of action. Meantime General Weygand has strengthened his own authority and is ready, it necessary, to act independently of Vichy. He has reorganised all the military powers of the French Empire and all the circumstances lead to the necessity of watching with suspicion General Weygand’s ambiguous measures."

FRENCH FLEET STAYING UNDER NATIONAL JURISDICTION. ADMIRAL DARLAN'S STATEMENT. (Received This Day. 12.15 p.m.) VICHY. February 3. “Le Journal" has published an interview with Admiral Darlan, stating that the French fleet will remain under the complete French jurisdiction and that the fleet will defend itself and the Empire against a challenge from any quarter. PARIS TELEPHONES EXCHANGES CUT OFF. NO EXPLANATION GIVEN. (Received This Day. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON. February 3. A Paris radio message, without explanation. announced that several telephone stations were out of action. The work of others has been dislocated and an interruption of electric cables has cut off power and light supply to certain exchanges.