No Solution

Lieut. General Dwight D. Eisenhower last week relaxed the airtight censorship on political news which had prevailed in North Africa since the Allied landings last November. The smell of intrigue was worse than even the profoundest pessimists had imagined. Wrote unemotional Drew Middleton, correspondent of the even more unemotional New York Times, just back in Algiers from a trip to the Morocco bailiwick of General Auguste Nogues:

"Profiteering, political apathy . . . distrust of the Americans and lack of faith in an ultimate United Nations victory are rife in French Morocco, where the political and economic situation parallels that of Algeria, but is intensified by the dictatorial character of Resident General Auguste Nogues' regime. . . . French Morocco is a confused, dizzy country, where the American flag flies near concentration camps and French collaborationists form an inter-Allied club and mix freely with American officers. . . .

"As far as the mass of Frenchmen is concerned, the honeymoon is over in dealings with the Americans. Those who retain a lingering faith in America as a champion of the oppressed pray that the U.S. will retrieve the political situation 'before it is too late.' Distrust springs from the 'new collaboration' of French officials (lately pro-Vichy and pro-German) with American officers. . . .

"An illustration of the present antidemocratic trend in the Morocco regime is furnished by Vichy's Legion of Veterans. . . . Ninety percent of the Frenchmen who joined . . . believed it a legitimate veterans' organization. Since then they have found that it is anti-Allied, antiliberal, antiSemitic, anti-Freemason and pro-Vichy and pro-Axis. . . . The legion, by one means or another, controls the lives of thousands of people despite the American landings. . . .

"As in Algeria, a thorough shake-up of the Government appears necessary. The real feelings of the people must be represented in the Government in some way, and the political persecution that is a disgrace to the Allied nations must be ended. Above all, an economic plan must be drawn up to save Morocco from the depression that will follow the departure of U.S. troops. . . . There are numerous trained men and skilled administrators available. . . . Many of them have been sidetracked because they are pro-Allied and anti-German. . . . 'Unless General Nogues and his associates are removed there will be trouble'--that is the warning one hears on all sides."

Deadlock. But there was no sign from any quarter last week that the political shake-up which Correspondent Middleton called for would be forthcoming. Having met in Casablanca, Generals Giraud and De Gaulle, key men of the two main factions of divided France, had retired again to their respective headquarters.

General Giraud admitted frankly that there was "no question for the moment of political unity" between himself and the Fighting French, that he did not consider the political position serious.* He also indicated that military cooperation was encountering difficulties--General de Gaulle, he stated, had opposed the plan to amalgamate the forces of the Fighting French with the armies under Giraud's command. The gaunt, hardheaded soldier told the press that he did not seek a perpetuation of a "Vichy-minded administration" in North Africa, but defended the appointments he had made. He pointed out that such leftovers as the anti-Jewish laws and repression of anti-Vichy Frenchmen could only gradually be relaxed./-

He and De Gaulle, said Giraud, had "the same aim: defeat of the Germans"; but, he added, "one thing is sure: neither of us will determine the future Government of France. That will be decided by 40,000,000 Frenchmen." He made clear his intention to shelve politics--of which he has admitted he understands nothing--for the duration.

In London, General Charles de Gaulle was as adamant in his stand as Giraud was in his.

The tall French soldier who claims to represent the true spirit of France likewise made it clear that political divergencies between himself and General Giraud were far too great to allow any cooperation in that field. While recognizing the difficulties of the North African situation, General de Gaulle still stuck to three conditions he regards as basic for any political agreement: 1) elimination of all men who have collaborated with Vichy; 2) abrogation of all laws and regulations which are in contradiction to the French Constitution; 3) creation of a government to administer all parts of the French empire now free of the enemy.

Stubborn in their respective beliefs, neither Giraud nor De Gaulle seemed of sufficient stature to rally all Frenchmen to a common cause. The citizens of France were still looking for their great liberator.

* To this remark an interviewer said: "You need only read the newspapers." General Giraud interrupted: "I never read newspapers." Asked "What about the radio?" the General replied: "I never listen to the radio." /- In Syria and Lebanon, administered by Fighting French High Commissioner General Georges Catroux, steps were taken last week to restore full constitutional sovereignty.

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