UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF FRENCH WARSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 221, 17 September 1940, Page 8

UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF FRENCH WARSHIPS.

ARRIVAL AT DAKAR. Unlikely To Be Allowed Back In Mediterranean. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. The "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent says that the arrival of three French cruisers and three destroyers that passed Gibraltar on Friday and have reached Dakar, from Toulon, at present cannot be clearly interpreted. British naval authorities allowed them to pass only because they were leaving and not entering the Mediterranean as a result of which six modern French warships were withdrawn from possible seizure by Italy and Germany. One theory is that the ships were intended to replace the visit to Africa by General Weygand, which he has been unable to carry out owing to "a mysterious accident" to the 'plane in which he was travelling. Possibly he and the French naval authorities would not be surprised to find the position in French Africa developing in a manner with which they can no longer cope. It is hardly credible that it is seriously proposed to use these ships to escort a convoy of supply ships to France. The Vichy Government, the correspondent says, must know that, there is not the slightest hope of the British blockade relaxing in its favour.