Evening star., 1947-05-22

Ciark-We haven't time All Frenchmen and
all Americans have the same interests at heart,
and here we are fighting among ourselves,
wasting time. I know that the admiral wants
deep down in his heart-to stop this fight
ing between our troops We all want to do the
same thing, and we must get an order for
cessation OF hostilities this morning We have
the means. We have 10000 American and
British troops In French North Africa. (Note:
A considerable exaggeration. Under 100000
was correctly We have the means of equip
ping the French Army and making this the
base from which we can go into France. How
anybody can fail to join us in an operation
that can mean the liberation of France Is
against my understanding
Darlan-I am completely In accord with your
point of view. but still can't act until hear
from Petain.
clark-Giraud will sign the terms Of the
armistice.
Darlan-The army is still with me.
Clark-We will make 1t as easy as possible
for you.
Darlan-I would like i've minutes with my
stan, for discussion.
Clark-You understand that no one is to
leave here or communicate with any one
outside.
Copies Of Order Submitted.
As soon as we resumed the session with Dar-
Ian. he laid copies Of an order before me and
asked If would accept 1t. 1t said In substance
that the Americans would not accept his re-
f,lsal to declare an immediate armistice, that
further battle would be futile. and that he
wanted to tell Marshal Petain that as result
of fighting, the French would probably lose
North Africa Admiral Darlan wanted to cease
hostilities and merely take an attitude OF COM
plete neutrality.
insisted again that what must have i'm
n1ediately was clear and specific order to all
French troops as well as to the navy and air
force. Darlan agreed to this and to passing
an order to JUN, Nogues and Barre, the air
force and the navy.
He began writing the message In his own
hand asking questions of me as he went along.
Then, for the first time, Darlan raised the
question Of Girauds status. ! answered:
what Giraud wants is to help France. In
this big setup, there is room for every one.
Right now am trying to stop the fighting"
Admiral Darlan handed me the draft OF his
order. It ordered all land, air and sea forces
in North Africa to cease firing Immediately
against American troops, to return to their
bases and to observe strict neutrality pending
further instructions.
'This will stand" / said. unless otneIWlse
changed by the Allied commander In chief.
Gen. Eisenhower.
I was anxious to get some immediate reaction
from the admiral concerning the powerful
French fleet at Toulon. Darlan was vague
and would make no hints or commitments but
he went so far as to tell me that he had per-
sonalIy issued orders to the French feet to
be prepared to move out on short notice should
the Germans enter unoccupied France He said
emphatically: Under no circumstances will our
feet fall into German hands.
As soon Is the meeting broke up sent
cable to Gen. Eisenhower. One paragraph Of
this read
4 now have two Kingpins" this was the
code name originally used for Girau6 but
hope to wiegle out Of 1t somehow. deemed
It of the utmost Importance to do ANYTHING to
secure an order which would be obeyed to cease
hostilities have not announced Darlan's
order over the radio, 50 as not to tip our hand
TO the Germans"
tcopynsnt. 1s47. b. MaTk wayns casrk,
pastributs4 by North Americas NswspaDss Alliance.