Evening star., 1942-12-17
Admiral Explains
Deals With Nuzis,
Denies Ambitions
By IVES GALLAGHER.

Copyright. 1912, by the Associated Press)
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTH AFRICA, Dec. 17.-Ad-
miral Jean Darlan fatty de-
clared today that formidable
French fleet units at Dakar,
Alexandria and North African
ports would join the British and
United States fleet on the high
seas to fight the Axis.
In an exclusive statement to this
correspondent, the former COM
mander of all of Vichy's armed
forces, now recognized by 1t. Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower as high COM
missioner of French Africa, gave
reasons for his dealings with the
Germans in Vichy the last two years
and, in answer to question regard
ing Gen. Charles de Gaulle. Fight
ing French leader. expressed the
hope that All Frenchmen who are
able to fight the Axis will do it in
close union"
The admiral made a written re-
ply to questions presented by this
correspondent shortly after he held
his first conference with the Allied
press since the fall of France.
DisavOws Personal Ambitions.
In that conference he made the
formal statement that French
Africa, with the Allies, must make
the maximum military effort for the
HpfpQt nf CORN Il Ian Il
he diSavoWed personal ambitions as
his motive for joining the Allies.
Giving the first definite word Of
plans for the French naval units
whose aid will give a great boost
to Allied naval power Admiral Dar-
Ian replied. Yes, definitely" to the
question Does Mr.. Darlan plan to
use the French feet that is left at
Dakar, Alexandria and North Afri-
can ports against the Axis?'
(Demobilized at Alexandria are
the 22,189-ton battleship Lor-
raine. four cruisers and at least
one submarine. At Dakar are the
35,000-ton battleship Richlieu,
damaged in 1910; three 7.600-ton
ii bllC
and Georges Leygues; three de-
stroyers, eight to twelve subma-
rines, and the submarine tender
Jules Verne. Among vessels in
North Africa are the 35,000-ton
battleship Jean Bart, damaged.
at Casablanca; various disabled
or beached cruisers, destroyers
and submarines and three sub
marines which escaped from
ToulonD
Authority Limited to Africa.
In reply to a question. Does Mr..
Darlan recognize Gen. De Gaulle's
National Committee as representing
any part of France" the admiral
significantly cid not close the door
on union between the two French
interests but replied:
Il, for the present. have no state
ment to make on the subject, but
I eagerly wish that all Frenchmen
who are able to fight the Axis will
do it in close union"
Admiral Darlan indicated. how
ever. that he regarded his authority
as limited strictly to North Africa
and French West Africa
"IS Mr.. Darlan's government to be
considered as Frances representa-
tive to the whole world-that is,
does his government represent all
the French Empire or just North
Africa and Dakar?' he was asked.
For the present the high COM
mission represents North Africa and
French West Africa was the ad-
miral's reply.
Asked whether his government
plans any coalition with other
French movements in the world so
as to present United French front
to the enemy" Admiral Darlan de-
clared:
My only scheme is to work in
complete agreement with the United
States Of America and Britain and
their Allies to contribute to the
greatest extent to the war effort"
He described as premature query
as to whether it was his plan "as
(See DARI,AN Page Aid