STRICTLY CENSORED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 January 1943, Page 3

STRICTLY CENSORED

BV FRENCH IN NORTH AFRICA NAMES OF PERSONS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH DARLAN MURDER. AND NEWS OF DE GAULLE GIRAUD MEETING. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, January 13. North Africa’s Government-con-trolled and heavily censored Press has not mentioned the impending meeting of Generals Giraud and de Gaulle, nor the new arrests in the Darlan murder investigation, says an Algiers message. Although they have not been officially announced,' the names of the persons arrested are known throughout Algiers and are causing widespread comment. Those arrested include persons known to have Monarchist leanings, as well as those who risked their lives to help the American landing. Lord Lytton, in a speech to the League of Nations Union, said: “We are told that the decision to treat with Darlan was an action of great military advantage. It is a mighty dangerous doctrine if we accept as a fact that anything wrong is> justifiable if there is a military advantage. That has been Hitler’s argument for every step he has taken which we have condemned.” The dealings with Darlan, Lord Lytton added, had created distrust and difficulties with the Allies and neutrals far outbalancing any military advantage. We could not forget that Darlan had imparted to the enemy military secrets given to him as our ally. This had resulted in many naval disasters until we changed our naval strategy. To allow such a man to pose as an honourable man and a worthy ally was a stain on our cause.

ENEMY FIGHTERS FIVE DESTROYED OVER BATTLE AREA. BOMBER ATTACKS EXTEND TO CRETE & SICILY. / (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, January 13. A Middle East communique states: “Yesterday patrol activity ’ continued, otherwise there is nothing to report from our land forces. “Although sand storms hindered air operations in the battle area yesterday, five enemy fighters were destroyed,in combat. Tripoli and Homs were successfully attacked on Monday night. Yesterday targets in Crete, Sicily and on Lampedusa Island were attacked by light bombers and fighter-bombers. Two of our aircraft were lost, but their pilots are safe.” NUMBER OF ARRESTS MADE BY FRENCH AUTHORITIES IN ALGERIA. MEN ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN DARLAN MURDER. LONDON, January 12. The French authorities have arrested a group of men said to be responsible for Admiral Darlan’s assassination, reports the Columbia Broadcasting system’s Algiers correspondent. A French official spokesman disclosed that the arrests were carried out yesterday after investigation had shown that Darlan’s murder was aided, and encouraged by circles outside those already taken into custody. The spokesman added that the investigation was being conducted by a military tribunal consisting of five French officers and it was proceeding regardless of the prominence of the persons involved or of their political beliefs. If the charges were confirmed, the arrested persons would be formally arraigned and tried with full legal representation, in accordance with French law. He explained that the new arrests resulted from the interrogation of persons arrested earlier, some of whom had already been released. ~ j POLITICAL PRISONERS INVESTIGATION BY JOINT ALLIED COMMISSION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 13. A joint commission on political prisoners and refugees in French North and West Africa has been appointed, consisting of American, British and French representatives, according to an agency correspondent at Allied* headquarters in Algiers. They will be able to visit places containing or suspected as containing persons interned for political reasons and report the names of the persons 'and the camps and the evidence on which their detention has been ordered. The commission will be able to urge that prompt measures be taken for the release of such persons as may be recommended. DE GAULLE & GIRAUD EXPECTED TO MEET SOON. LONDON, January 12. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain at Allied headquarters in North Africa, says that a French spokesman announced that Generals Giraud and de Gaulle would meet soon and attempt to compose their differences.

“General de Gaulle is for us the symbol of a clean, honourable and courageous France —the France we honour and want as an ally,” said Lord Lytton. “We regard him as the pivot around whom all that is best in France can unite.” CHARLES BEDAUX FORMER FRIEND OF DUKE OF WINDSOR. AMONG THOSE ARRESTED IN ALGIERS. (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, January 13. The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) announced that Mr Charles Bedaux, a former friend of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, had been arrested in French North Africa. ENEMY FQRT TAKEN BY THE FRENCH. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 12. A fast-moving French native camel corps, travelling along the frontier of Tripolitania and French Africa parallel with General Leclerc’s forces has taken Fort Charlet, which is approximately on the same level as Murzuk. The camel corps covers 35 to 60 miles a day. General Leclerc will have the advantage of more of these men roaming the Tunisian border as he travels farther north.