DISPUTES CONTINUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1943, Page 4

DISPUTES CONTINUE

BETWEEN RIVAL FRENCH LEADERS QUESTIONS OF ARMY REFORM & CONTROL. UNREST & DEPRESSION AT HEADQUARTERS. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON. June 20. General de Gaulle is reported io have declared that he would leave Algiers for Beirut or Brazzaville if his military reform proposals were not approved, says the Associated Press of America’s Algiers correspondent. .An atmosphere of unrest and depression pervades headquarters. General de Gaulle’s declaration came on the eve of a meeting of the Committee of National Liberation, which, is considering the military Reform proposals tomorrow. Although the history of the relations between Generals de Gaulle and Giraud has been a repetition. of one crisis after another, the impending

decision on military authority appeals to be the climax. General de Gaulle’s intimates point out that he is the only valid link between the Third Republic and present attempts to establish a unified overseas French regime, because he is the only member of the National Committee who was in the Republic's last Government. Some observers consider that if General de Gaulle leaves Algiers, he will be more entitled than the Committee of Liberation to recognition as the central authority of the French Empire. General Giraud s success in mobilising the French forces tc fight with the British and Americans in Tunisia and the successful part his

army subsequently, played in crushing the Axis resistance has gained him the favour of the Allied High Command. Whatever his future political role, the British United Press says, virtually all the committee men are believed.to .be in favour of General Giraud continuing as Commander-in-Chief. Router's correspondent says the majority of North Africa’s 169 French generals, a majority of whom are over 60 years of age, also senior officers, support General Giraud. On the . other, hand more junior officers, n.c.o's. and troops strongly support General de Gaulle, who is reported to want a small highly-trained and superbly equipped army, with a good proportion of air troops. General Giraud prefers a larger army, better equipped than at present, with Bren guns and trucks.