Evening star., 1941-03-04
Wide Nazi InfiItration
Into French North
Africa Reported
Small Troop Units Have
Reached Tunisiu From
Genoo, London Hears

LONDON, March 4 &C. D. NJ
German fears that the British would
sweep right across North Africa have
led to widespread German infiltra-
ton in French North Africa, it is
learned here.
German domination over French
Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia is
well on the way to being established,
according to the latest most reliable
private reports reaching London.
In addition, small units of Ger
man mechanical troops have
reached Tunisia from Genoa, Lon
don hears. The fact that the Ger
mans were in Genoa preparing to
embark for Tripon was presumably
known to the British and undoubt-
edly was the reason they bombarded
Genoa on February 8.
When the British advance into
Libya appeared to be making too
great progress for axis liking, the
Germans apparently feared that
French Africa might be encouraged
to join the fight if the British chased
the Italians entirely out of Libya.
So a German armistic commission
replaced the italian commission in
French North Africa.
Work Speeded Up.
Under the Italian commission
the French had not appeared to be
hurrying about dismantling naval
and air bases and demilitarizing
military areas. Under German
supervision this work has been con-
siderably speeded up and German
officers have been pouring into
Morocco and Algeria in recent weeks,
according to these reports.
About $50 German officers, reach
ing Casablanca by air from France,
are said to be en- route to Tunisia
to take over French Army units.
About all they can hope to do,
monentarily, is apparently to check
any enthusiasm these French and
native units might have for helping
the British by giving the Italians
stab in the back at Tripoi.
Other and more-reaching Ger
man plans for French Africa must
be held in allegiance until French
Chief of State Petain agrees to mill
tary collaboration and gives up the
remaining units of the French
fleet. Until Marshal Petain gives
that order the Germans will not be
able to get the French to fight for
them.
Marshal Petain does hot appear
to be any nearer to yielding on
these points to the Germans, but
the attitude of Vice Premier-For-
eign Admiral Jean Darlan is now
believed to be extremely doubtful.
Independent Action Unlikely.
While there might have been a
possibility two months ago of the
French North African commander,
Gen. Maxine Weygand, taking in
dependent action, it is now thought
to be practically out of the question.
Aside from the generals age and
lack of vigor, the Germans now have
him virtually surrounded. 1t is even
suggested that his contact with
Vichy is supervised and guided, as
his contact with the outside world
certainly is.
While much stands in the way
still, disintegration of French North
Africans carries a potential threat
to West Africa. The Germans have
yet to gain command of the western
Mediterranean, either through con-
troll of Spain and Gibraltar, or
through the handing over of the
French naval units and bases by
Vichy. There then remains consid-
cradle territory to be covered. But
the threat to West Africa Is there
and may materialize in the coming
weeks.
Copyright, 1941, Chicago Daily News, Inc.)