FRENCH MIX-UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1943, Page 4

FRENCH MIX-UP

GIRAUD & DE GAULLE DELEGATIONS MORE OR LESS AT ODDS. TROUBLE OVER PEYROUTIN (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON. June 2. A deadlock has been reached between Generals de Gaulle and Giraud. There was no meeting between the leaders this afternoon.

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 in Algiers says an official explanation has been given of the bungle over the resignation. M. Peyrouton 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 alternately. 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 only published the letter - to General Giraud, the explanation being that the French censorship, on receiving the letter to General de Gaulle, held it up for ruling, but passed the letter to General Girfiud 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 between the two sides. The Associated Press Algiers correspondent reports that General Giraud has appointed Admiral Muselier his deputy commander-in-chief and charged him with the maintenance of order in Algiers. The appointment of Admiral Muselier, a former member of the Fighting French hierarchy who latex - broke with General de Gaulle, after which he was regarded as a bitter opponent, will, it is believed, increase the present tension. General de Gaulle earlier had Admiral Muselier under house arrest in London and Admiral Muselier is now chief policeman in the area in which General de Gaulle operates. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says it was learned authoritatively tonight that the situation arising from the difference between the delegations of Generals Giraud and de Gaulle is by no moans as bad as appears on the surface. There is little doubt in official and responsible quarters that the whole problem may be cleaned up earlier than was expected. The fact that General Eisenhower - saw General de Gaulle today has created a further impression that there is likely to be an early settlement. The Algiers radio reports that conversations between General Giraud and de Gaulle have been resumed. General de Gaulle today, conceding that the political crisis was confused, said it would be regarded as a bad dream in French history. The principles of Fighting France would emerge triumphant and lead to Paris and victory. Speaking at a luncheon of the emigre British and American Press Association of Paris, General de Gaulle said: “Today we are in North Africa. Tomorrow we shall be in Marseilles and on the following day in Paris.”