STILL SPARRING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1943, Page 4

STILL SPARRING

RIVAL FRENCH LEADERS

DEADLOCK NOW COMPLETE.

REJECTION OF COMPROMISE

PROPOSAL'S.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 11.10 a.m.) LONDON. June 15. Earlier hopes of a compromise between Generals de Gaulle and Giraud are dashed with the news that General Giraud has now refused to accept General de Gaulle’s plan for reform of the Army and definition of his and General Giraud’s authority.

The Exchange Telegraph Agency's Algiers correspondent says the deadlock is now complete. After General Giraud’s rejection of General de Gaulle’s plan, he met General Catroux and Georges, M.M. Massigli. Monnet and Philip, and discussed the impasse, but General de Gaulle refused to attend. General Giraud declined an invitation to lunch with Generals Catroux and de Gaulle today.

Reuter’s Algiers correspondent, says the situation has grown worse and depression deepened in political circles when it became apparent that reports of a provisional solution of the deadlock were not borne out. General de Gaulle and Genera! Giraud appear to be equally determined to maintain each his own viewpoint, but thev dare not stage an open break, because" of the effect upon France and because the British and American military authorities in North Africa would then possibly intervene. The Reuter correspondent adds that some “camp followers” of both sides are fanatically partisan and that it might be a good thing if the two generals could be removed temporarily from their influence.

Earlier today it was reported that intermediaries had worked out a compromise plan, which General de Gaulle had substantially accepted and General Giraud had also accepted. It is understood that the comprise entailed the appointment of General Giraud as Commander-in-Chief of the French armed forces, and that of General de Gaulle as Commissioner for Defence, which would be equivalent to War Ministers, with both appointments subject to the authority of the National Executive.