Evening star., 1943-01-22
The Peyrouton Issue

TN iSdtS' sSSbS
General Giraud'S appointment Of
Marcel B. Peyrouton to a key post in
French North Africa StirS to new
intensity the complex controversies
which have ragged ever since General
EiSenhOWer'S political arrangement
with Admiral Darlan Immediately
after the landing Of our troops on
African soil.
Monsieur PeyrOutOn becomes not
only Governor General Of Algeria but
also a member Of the Imperial Coun-
Gil, and he is slated to assume "other
functions" as well. This indicates
that he will become the virtual head
Of the civil administration, thereby
relieving General Giraud of bureau
cratic tasks for which, as a profess
SiOnal soldier, he does not deem him
self technically qualified Though
remaining the ultimate authority as
High Commissioner, General Giraud
thus will be free to devote himself
more fully to what he has most at
heart, the prosecution of the war
against the Axis alongside General
Eisenhower and the Allied eXpedi-
tiOnary armies.
From a professional angle, Pey-
routon appears we'll qualified for his
job. Over period of years he has
held the highest administrative posts
in all parts of French North Africa,
knows its problems intimately, and
has the reputation of being an able
official. Technically, his appoint
ment is probably the best that could
be made. But PeyrOuton undoubtedly
is man of Vichy." He was one of
the first to rally behind Marshal
Petain and was entrusted by the
Marshal with the arrest of Pierre
Laval when that arch collaboration
ist with Germany attempted to make
a deal with Hitler behind Petain'S
back in December, 1910 Thereafter
he became Vichy Ambassador to
Argentina, but resigned that post
after Lavals return to power last
year. 1t was from Buenos Aires that
Peyrouton came to North Africa, pre-
Sumably at the suggestion of General
Giraud.
This deliberate importation of
parsonage so identified with the pre-
Laval phase of the Vichy government
has infuriated the Fighting French
Of General De Gaulle and probably
adjournS indefinitely the prospect of
reconciling them with the Giraud
regime. 1t is likewise arousing re-
newed criticism from those circles
in America and Britain which have
opposed from the start political deal
ingS with all former Vichyites who
have rallied to our side. Yet the
Peyrouton appointment unqueStion-
ably has the assent of General Eisen-
hover and Of our State Department.
1t is unthinkable that General
Giraud would have acted without the
previous knowledge and agreement
Of both our representatives in North
Africa and Washington itself. Indeed,
Secretary Of State Cordell Hull has
given unqualified Endorsement to the
actions and policies of General
Eisenhower and Robert Murphy, our
resident Minister to North Africa who
functions as EisenhoWer'S political
adviser and the State Departments
representative. Secretary Hull has
further voiced sharp criticism of
those who condemn our policy in
North Africa with insufficient knoWl-
edge of the ticklish problems in
volved He stressed the seriousness
of the military situation there and
implied that strategic consideration
must take precedence over all else.
Such fortnight statements by the
Secretary Of State should give pause
to those who so caustically criticise
our military and diplomatic leaders.
The American public should have
confidence that those who direct our
war effort, in full possession of the
facts, know what they are doing. The
record thus far shows that our lead
ers have acted wisely and effectively,
At so critical a juncture, carping
condemnation seems SinguIarly out
of place. Our generals and diplomats
should have our faith and confidence
until their competence has been dis
proved by results,