Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-30


only an interlude.
Uphold French Honor.
The manpower potential
some 100000 men; the remnants
OF the fleet; one battleship; some
seven cruisers, counting those at
Alexandria, and two-score de-
stroyers and submarines are up
holding the honor of France.
The men in the army and the
navy are willing to shed their
blood on the side of their Allies.
Yet over this corner of what is
France only in name, there are
dissensions, theological quarrels-
If self1shness can be cloaked under
that name-and jockeying for
positions among Frenchmen. I'm
less these are stif1ed, not only
Frances future but also the lives
of thousands of American soldiers
who are fighting to restore
Europe to her old freedom may
be jeopardized.
The conflict among French
men started from the day we
landed with a minimum of cas-
ualties on African soil. This oper-
alton was made possible by the
fact one of the Vichy leaders, Ad-
mlral Jean Francois Darlan, who
had been described in the past as
a Nazi sympathizer and a Fascist,
came over to our side. The entire
civilian and military organization
of North Africa thus was handed
over to us.
American and British military
men, who are intent only on WIN
ming the war and do not wish to
become involved in political
1deologies, welcomed the little
French admiral in their midst.
His past was immaterial to them.
His. present influence in North
Africa was all that mattered.
Forces Are Slim.
Our military problem would
have been difficult had the
French resisted. 1t continues to
be difficult at any rate. The
forces available in North Africa
are about sufficient to reduce the
Nazis who are rushing toward
Tunlsia. They are not numerous
enough to do that job if they had
to secure their lines of commune
cations or deal with the Arabs
who might become unruly at any
time. Hence they enthusiastic
ally accepted the offer Of Admiral
Darlan. realizing that with the
former Vichy leader on their side
they could proceed toward Tu-
nisia and feel secure in the rear
without having to draw more
forces from Britain and the
United States.
This was the realistic motive
behind the acceptance of OAR
lan's cooperation. The military
men, however, have no intention
OF merely using the Frenchman.
They want to maintain his COL
liberation until the French peo-
pie across the Mediterranean can
decide for themselves about the
personnel to be used in their
government.
Unfortunately, one Frenchman
IN London feels that he has been
sighted. Gen. Charles de Gaulle
has had little military experience
compared with the other French
generals who are now in the field.
But he did organize during those
hectic days of defeat a group of
Frenchmen-the Free French
and endeavored to rally behind
the Free French flag as many of
his compatriots as would or could
come over to join him.
Propaganda Excellent.
Not many did come. Gen. de
Gaulle was little known In his
country before the war. His
name, however, became a house,
hold word, in Occupied France
In particular. because he was the
only French general who had
faith in the Allied victory and
who endeavored to organize re-
s1stance to the Nazi invaders.
His propaganda work was excel
lent. His military contribution
was inflnitesimal.
The army which is known as
the Fighting French is small and
1ncensequential. A group of his
men did good work during the
offensive of Field Marshal Erwin
Rommel which brought the Axis
inside the Egyptian border. The
principal group under Gen. Ca
troux fought the Vichy forces in
Syria. 1t is doubtful, however,
whether the entire Free French
force recruited since 1910 exceeds
two divisions.
From London Gen. de Gaulle,
who believes that when France is
liberated 1t must find some or
ganization to take matters in
hand until the people can decide
for themselves about the future
form Of government, began to
think In political rather than
military terms. He wanted a full
and complete diplomatic recog-
milton at the expense OF the
Vichy government and was
openly critical of the American
Government which continued,
for military reasons, to recognize
the Petain administration.
When we invaded North A.
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