Evening star., 1943-06-28
De GauIIe Is Warned
Political Squabb|es
Must Not Interfere
Allies Insist on Measures
.. To Speed Up Campaign
And Safeguard Forces
BY KIRKE L. SIMPSON,
Associated Press Writer.


Associated Press Writer. TO
Gen. Charles de Gaulle and his
adherents had unof1cial but en-
phatic notice today that the Allied
commander in French Africa
charged with final preparations for
an assault on Axis-held Europe
will brook no interference due to
French political controversies.
An exposition Of Anglo-American
policy and purposes made available
to this writer by such informants
and In such circumstances as to leave
no doubt as to its authenticity makes
1t clear that Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hover will be firmly supported by
both governments in whatever ad-
ditional steps he finds it necessary
to take to secure his communication
lines, avert delay In using the French
African bases for aggressive action
against the enemy and, above all,
reduce the hazards to American,
British and French forces under his
command
The Allied commander took the
first step when he insisted to the
French Committee for National Lib
Grafton at Algiers that Gen. Henri
Giraud must remain in complete au-
thority over French elements of his
armies and that efforts by Gen. de
Gaulle to oust French officers un-
der Gen. Giraud in favor of his own
adherents come to an end.
Time Vital Element.
There is no intimation Of what
further measures may be required
to safeguard Allied forces and
Fighting French morale. There can
be no doubt, however, under the
Allied policy outlined to this writer
that time Is regarded as vital ele-
ment in the military situation in
French Africa, or that French po-
litical controversies will be dealt
with on a strictly military basis and
regardless Of the effect on the status
or ambitions of Gen. de Gaulle or
any other individual.
Although both Gen. Eisenhower
and Washington authorities are re-
manning aloof from French fac
tional political wrangling, one in
formant here who cannot be quoted
directly said the situation in
French African territories is "diffi-
cult because Of the continuing con-
troversy" between Gems. De Gaulle
and Giraud and their political ad-
herents.
Elaborating on the existing situa-
ton in North Africa. as this Gov
ernment views it, the informant
added:
This controversy developed into
an effort to obtain complete control
of French military forces and into
a persistent effort on the part of
Gen. de Gaulle to replace with his
own adherents officers of the
French) Army, Navy and Air
Forces who were previously asso-
ciated with the government of un-
occupied France in Vichy.
81 Sovereignty Maintained.
at has been the consistent policy
OF the Allied nations TO utilize the
civil administration of the French
colonies in so far as is permitted
by military necessity, and to make
every endeavor to maintain French
sovereignty in Africa.
The French army and naval
forces in Africa, under Gen. Giraud,
participated with courage and sue
cess in destroying or capturing the
Axis army in Africa, and in consid-
Grafton Of the necessity for ,continu-
ing important military operations
from Africa as base, military con-
siderations, including security of the
long supply lines. must control our
relations with the French civil ad-
ministrators.
With American soldiers involved
In a deadly struggle with Axis
armies, it is inconceivabie that the
Allied powers should submit to any
control by local administrators that
might increase the danger of our
troops or adversely affect our mill
tary effort.
The civil government of French
Africa is now administered by a
group Of IA Frenchmen who called
themselves the Committee of Ma
tional Liberation. Both Gems. de
Gaulle and Giraud are members and
the remainder of the committee is,
presumably. composed of men
equally divided in their allegiance
to the two leaders.
Military Command Divided.
AT present the military COM
mand is divided between Giraud
and De Gaule, the first exercising
command OF forces in North and
West Africa and the latter over all
French forces in other territory
under French control.
This French) private political
compromise adds serious complica-
IL S;d3f-Sinnh'e Rodv