De Gaulle to rule liberated areas
French group backed as authority by U.S.
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt said today that the United States has decided to accept Gen. Charles de Gaulle’s French Committee on National Liberation as the actual working authority for civilian administration of the liberated areas of France.
Mr. Roosevelt told his news conference, however, that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Supreme Commander in Europe, would continue to have complete and clear-cut authority over all military questions in France and would decide when any given part of France is ready for civilian government.
Tells about parleys
Telling about his talks last week with Gen. de Gaulle, the President explained that this country was accepted the French Committee as the de facto authority for government of France. De facto recognition means that a condition is accepted as existing, but it does not carry the complete legal and diplomatic acceptance, which is called de jure recognition.
President Roosevelt said the United States was prepared to use as a basis for further relations with the French National Committee the recent drafts for restoration of civil administration which have been worked out by the French and British. Those drafts, according to Gen. de Gaulle, were worked out on a “technical” level and require further negotiation.
The President said those agreements were being redrafted. Asked whether the United States would sign an agreement or a memorandum, he replied that it probably would be a memorandum.
Asked whether his announcement meant that all recent difficulties between the United States and the French Committee of National Liberation had been ironed out during the conferences with the French leader, the President replied that if a time limit were put on the question, the answer would be yes.
Gives example
He emphasized repeatedly that the plans call for Gen. Eisenhower to have the final word and to determine what would be classified as civilian areas.
Asked whether Gen. Eisenhower would be able to deal with French groups other than the French Committee of National Liberation, the President said that the best way to describe that would be by example.
After the Allies have captured a town in France and moved in, he said, members of Gen. de Gaulle’s committee would appear before a committee on civil administration set up by Gen. Eisenhower and suggest names of people to run the city – mayors, councilmen, and so forth.
Discusses currency
Other groups may appear before the same committee, the President said, and it will be up to Gen. Eisenhower’s committee and Gen. Eisenhower himself to determine in such cases who shall administer the area.
Mr. Roosevelt said there is some talk at present about letting the French National Committee issue a new currency. He emphasized that the question had not been decided but added that he could see no reason why the committee should not be granted authority to issue a new temporary currency.