Politics in North Africa
While the military situation in North Africa has taken a turn for the better as a result of the Anglo-American counter- attacks at the Kasserine Pass political difficulties continue. General Bergeret, Secretary-General of the North African Government, in the course of a Press interview last Saturday, gave some figures (which are not universally accepted) about the number of prisoners in camps, the number released, and the classes of prisoners involved. Of the political prisoners and refugees detained some 1,300 have actually been released, but the General admits that the total number in custody on November 8th was about 7,100. The Inter-allied Commission, though its powers are only ad- visory, has been able to visit some of the camps and make recom- mendations, which are listened to the more readily when they concern foreigners, such as Spanish Republicans and Russians, than when they concern French subjects. It is denied that any de Gaullists are now interned as political prisoners. The administration particularly resent criticism of their treatment of the Jews, which they claim
is a local problem complicated by the rivalry between Jews and Arabs. General Giraud has, however, promised substantial ameliora- tion here. The control of civil affairs is mainly in the hands of a body of entrenched officials who cling to what they conceive to be their rightful powers, though there is little obvious moral authority behind them, and what they do can no longer escape open criticism. The situation is not satisfactory, and it presents no very helpful back- ground for Allied military operations.
