Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-14

Vic plOSIcSS Vi $500 II
Gen. Eisenhower -
in Tunisia, the David Lawrence.
real animus for the attack on the
American commander seems to have
been revealed in the following United
Press dispatch:
London - The Chronicle
said that 1t. Gen. Dwight Eisen-
hover was responsible for public
confusion as to the situation in
French North Africa. Referring to
the delay in the assault on Tunisia
and the obscure political situation
In Algiers, it said: This deplorable
situation has been aggravated, II
not actually provoked, by Gen. Els
enhower.'"
This brings the attack out in the
open. For some time well-informed
sources here have known OF the
efforts in London to undermine the
prestige of Gen. Eisenhower, but
It was not believed the attack would
take on the nature of public
campaign in the British press.
Attack Resented.
To say that the attack is resent
ed is to put it mildly. 1t is looked
upon primarily as an effort to dis
credit an American commander in
chief of Allied forces so that, it is
presumed, a British commander will
be appointed instead. Another ex-
PLANTATION is that the Free French
elements in London, which are very
close to the British government
and the British press, have not
forgiven Gen. Eisenhower for put
ting the late Admiral Darlan in
command and they are determined
to GUST the American commander
II they can Thus the two objec-
tives for the press campaign seem
to blend.
Information here is that the
course of Gen. Eisenhower has been
reported in every detail and that
from the moment American forces
landed in North Africa every de-
velopment has been fully related
and the action taken by the general
has been supported in every sense.
It would appear here that Gen.
has. used tact and dis
cretion in trying to keep the friction
between French factions from caus-
ing disturbances that would play
into the hands Of the many Axis
agents who are trying to stir up
in North Africa.
While the American and Allied
forces are sufficiently numerous to
deal with any discomfort, 1t means
that considerable numbers have to
be kept on guard to watch the native
tribes If there is to be trouble,
whereas II peace can be maintained
these same troops can be used at
the front IN TunlSla.
There is still considerable mystery
about the identity of the group
which brought about the assassina-
ton of Admiral Darlan. If it had
been proved that the murderer was
An Axis agent that fact promptly
would have been publicized. The
fact that secrecy has been MAIN
tanned leads to a suspicion that
perhaps some Free French sympa-
thizer was at the bottom of the plot.
Proof Of Second Plot.
Incidentally, proof has been OBJ
tanned that another plot aimed at
the assassination Of Gen. Giraud
and American Minister Robert
Murphy was nipped in the but, but
1t has not been revealed just what
French elements were back of it.
The Department OF State has an
nounced that all prisoners identified
with the Free French at the time Of
the Anelo-American invasion have
been freed and that all persons
Jailed at that time have been re-
leased. But since that time 200
suspected "collaborationists" with
the Axis have been arrested.
Elmer Davis of the Office Of Wal
Information says it has been diff
cult to get clear Identification OF
those arrested. 1t is plain, therefore
that Gen. Eisenhower has beer
plunged into the midst of danger
Gus political fight, and it certainly Il
surprising to see the British press
assume a position Of antipathy
against an American general who
like all other commanders Of oul
forces. have not the slightest interest
In European politics.
The references to "a delay in the
assault on Tunisia" can better be
answered by the British high COM
mand itself, which knows the facts
It Is regrettable that the British
press has permitted itself to become
involved in this sniping campaign
Far more may be involved thar
placating the Free French elements
resident In London. There is al
together too much anti-British feel
ing already in Washington. The
tactics Of the British press In attack
ing Gen. Eisenhower Is not only ILL.,
advised but cannot fail to build up
nationalistic sentiments here which
true friends Of Britain have for a
long time been trying to keep from
impairing Anglo-American relations
Depreciation Rights Reservedl
Gen. Sikorski in London
LONDON, Jan. IA (P). Gen