Evening star., 1941-11-21
French North Africa Put
Under DorIon's Control

VICHY, Unoccupied France. Nov
81 (P'.-Gen. Maxine Weygand, re-
garded as lukewarm to collaboration
with Germany. was retired" last
night as delegate general and mill
tary commander of French North
Africa. and that strategic area was
placed under the direct control of
the pro-German Vice Premier Jean
Darlan.
The 74-year-old Weygand, who
commanded the final unsuccessful
Allied stand against Germany III
France. sent this farewell message
to his African army and colonial
heads:
Remain faithful to your magnifi-
cent traditions and to Marshal Pc
tain"
1t. Gen. Alfonso JUN. SO. released
by the Germans from a prison camr
June l6, was sent to North Africa
to command the troops there amid
indications of increasing French
German commitments.
tThe State Department in
Washington said Gen. Weygand
had been removed by 'the ex-
press demand of Hitler" A
Washington dispatch said this
was an ominous development in
growing Franco-German collabo-
ration which might be seriously
detrimental to American in
terestS. The entire relationship
with FTence now is being re-
viewed. the State Department
said
Informed London quarters
also took the view that Gen. Wey-
gand was removed because he
was an obstacle to German am
billions in Africa. They said Ad-
mlral Darlan long had wanted to
ouSt the general for fear of Gen.
Wevgand's reaction should the
British succeed in sweeping west
across Libya and Tripoli to make
a junction with French Tunisia)
Paper Urges Collaboration.
Vice Admiral R. A. Genard, for
mer Weygand aide, was named
permanent Secretary General OF
French Africa, answerable to Ad-
miral Darlan, Yves Chatel, assistant
Governor General of Algeria, be-
came Governor General.
In French West Africa the mill
tary command was given to 59-year-
old Gen. Jean Barrau
These changes came as the Ger
man-controlled Paris newspaper
NouveauX Temps demanded that
France allow German military col
liberation" in French Africa to
withstand what it called British
American attack" and while the
British are driving into Libya in
Eastern Africa.
The newspaper also attacked Will
liam D. Leahy, United States Am
bassador to Vichy, who conferred
urgently yesterday with Marshal
Petain on the changing political sit
uation here.
Leaves Vichy for Rest.
Gen. Weygand was cited for THE
Order of the Nation" on his retire
ment. He left Vlchy yesterday
morning by airplane for what au-
thorized circles said was "a few
days rest at Antilles
In day charged with diplomatic
activity, Fernand de Rrinon, Vichy
representative in the German
occupied zone, flew to this capita
yesterday, conferred quickly with
Armiral Darlan, then returned to
Paris.
De Brinon also saw Marshal Pc
tain. The latter Cancelled all other
engagements and spent most of the
day in seclusion.
officials here said Gen Weygand'
usefulness is over and so he is re-
tiring."
The veteran himself referred te
his retirement with such express
sions as the last pride and Joy oi
my military life ends"
The citation to the Order of the
Nation" referred to Gen. Weyganc
as "a glorious officer who has served
France Sc years" with qualities
worthy of remaining as examples
Of our military tradition"