SERIES OF QUESTIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1942, Page 4

SERIES OF QUESTIONS

ANSWERED BY ADMIRAL DARLAN ATTITUDE TO DE GAULLE NOT DEFINED. WISHES ALL FRENCHMEN TO FIGHT AXIS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, December 17. Replying to a series of questions put to him by American correspondent attached to Allied Headquarters in North Africa, Admiral Darlan said he definitely intends to use the French fleet at Dakar, Alexandria and North African ports against the Axis. To a question: “Does Admiral Darlan recognise General de Gaulle’s National Committee as representing any part of France?” he answered: “At present I have no statement to make on that subject, but I eagerly wish that all Frenchmen who are able to fight the Axis will do so, in close union.” Questioned as to whether his Government should be considered’ as representing all France and the French Empire to the world, or just North Africa and Dakar, Darlan answered: “For the present, the High Commissioner represents North Africa and French West Africa.” Asked whether his Government planned any coalition with' other French movements in the world, so as to present a united France to the en emy, Darlan answered: “My only scheme is to work in complete agreement with the United States, Britain and their Allies to contribute to the greatest extent to the war effort.” A question concerning the establishment of regular diplomatic relations with his Allies, he described as premature. Asked whether he intended to hold North Africa in trust for Marshal Petain, Darlan answered that he considered it his part to represent French interests so long as France was unable to express itself freely and choose its Government.

Regarding his change of views, as expressed a few weeks ago, compared with his present position, Darlan declared that all he did in France was designed to keep the German power over France within limits. When the Allies landed in North Africa he carried on the orders he had received to keep France’s wor&, which had prevented for 28 months Axis forces coming to French Africa. He ordered the cease fire as soon as possible and committed himself to the American military authorities. Then, when the Germans broke the armistice, he considered that thq hour he so much wanted had struck. He acted as the man who was eventually to take Marshal Petain’s place and tried to mqster on the side of the Allied Nations all the Frenchmen still able to resume fighting. On November 11 he ordered the French fleet in Toulon to cross to Africa, but on the previous evening Marshal Petain took command of all French military forces and the Commander-in Chief of the fleet did not listen to what Darlan said.