I have accepted General Eisenhower's political arrangements
made for the time being in Northern and Western Africa.
I thoroughly understand and approve the feeling in
the United States and Great Britain and among all the other United Nations
that in view of the history of the past two years no permanent arrangement
should be made with Admiral Darlan. People in the United Nations likewise
would never understand the recognition of a reconstituting of the Vichy
Government in France or in any French territory.
We are opposed to Frenchmen who support Hitler and
the Axis. No one in our Army has any authority to discuss the future
Government of France and the French Empire.
The future French Government will be established-not
by any individual in metropolitan France or overseas-but by the French
people themselves after they have been set free by the victory of the
United Nations.
The present temporary arrangement in North and West
Africa is only a temporary expedient, justified solely by the stress
of battle.
The present temporary arrangement has accomplished
two military objectives. The first was to save American and British
lives on the one hand, and French lives on the other hand.
The second was the vital factor of time. The temporary
arrangement has made it possible to avoid a "mopping up" period
in Algiers and Morocco which might have taken a month or two to consummate.
Such a period would have delayed the concentration for the attack from
the West on Tunis, and we hope on Tripoli.
Every day of delay in the current operation would
have enabled the Germans and Italians to build up a strong resistance,
to dig in and make a huge operation on our part essential before we
could win. Here again, many more lives will be saved under the present
speedy offensive, than if we had had to delay it for a month or more.
It will also be noted that French troops, under the
command of General Giraud, have already been in action against the enemy
in Tunisia, fighting by the side of American and British soldiers for
the liberation of their country.
Admiral Darlan's proclamation assisted in making a
"mopping up" period unnecessary. Temporary arrangements made
with Admiral Darlan apply, without exception, to the current local situation
only.
I have requested the liberation of all persons in
Northern Africa who had been imprisoned because they opposed the efforts
of the Nazis to dominate the world, and I have asked for the abrogation
of all laws and decrees inspired by Nazi Governments or Nazi idealogies.
Reports indicate that the French of North Africa are subordinating all
political questions to the formation of a common front against the common
enemy.