SENSATIONAL TURN

Evening Star, Issue 23689, 24 September 1940, Page 7

SENSATIONAL TURN

GERMAN EFFORT TO CONTROL DAKAR GENERAL DE GAULLE GH SCENE WITH COMIINED FORCE SOME RESISTANCE ENCOUNTERED (Bnlisli Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 23. (Received September 24, at 10.13 a.m.) The following statement was issued by the Ministry of Information this evening: — 11 Recent reports show that the Germans have been making persistent efforts to bring Dakar (French Senegal) under their control, and the movements of French warships from Toulon to Dakar, which clearly could not have been effected without German permission, gave further evidence of the attempt which is in contemplation. “ In view of the fact that a considerable element of the population were opposed to the Vichy Government’s .policy of subservience to Berlin, and had declared in favour of Free France, General de Gaulle decided to proceed with a Free French force to Dakar to assist those elements which supported his cause. He arrived off Dakar this morning, and has summoned his followers to rally to the flag of Free France. Resistance seems to have been encountered, but the situation is not yet fully clear. “ General de Gaulle’s Free French force was accompanied by a British force, which will lend him full support.” FRENCH RADIO MESSAGE BRITISH NAVAL SQUADRON’S PART REPORTED TO HAVE FIRED ON TOWN LYONS, September 23. (Received September 24, at 12.30 p.m.) The radio stated that a British squadron took the English and de Gaulle troops to Dakar and issued an ultimatum to the town demanding surrender. The French refused, and the British squadron then fired on Dakar. VICHY GOVERNMENT'S ALLEGATIONS (By Radio.) DAVENTRY, September 24. The Vjcliy Government alleges that British warships opened fire on Dakar and announced that France would oppose force with force and would take action against the British Fleet. France would not declare war on Britain, but would defend herself. DAKAR-AN IMPORTANT NAVAL * STATION Dakar is the chief port of French West Africa, and is situated at the very westernmost point of the continent—the point where Africa projects farthest into the Atlantic. In the wrong hands that position would make it an ideal base for enemy submarines, or French submarines turned enemy—a base full of peril for the now enlarged volume of British shipping taking the Cape route to the East. Formerly it was part of Senegal, but in 1924 Dakar and its surroundings were formed into a special territory for their greater dignity. It is the capital of French West'Africa, which extends eastward beyond Timbuktu, giving place then to French Equatorial Africa, which some weeks ago declared for the Allies, The port offers safe anchorage for the largest ships, with a population of 54,000, including (1,500 Europeans. Dakar possesses several fine public buildings, notably the palace of the Governor-General. It is plentifully supplied with good water and is fairly healthy. It is the starting point of the railway to St. Louis. 105 miles to the north, and is within five days’ steam of Lisbon. 'There are three commercial clocks, a naval dock and arsenal, with a torpedo boat basin, also a dry dock. Dakar is a coaling station, and the terminus of the French cable from Brest and of two others from Spain and America. 'The chief exports are nuts, turtles, and hides. AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION APPEAL FOR INCREASED OUTPUT LONDON, September 23. (Received September 24, at 8 a.m.) Lord Beaverbrook, appealing to aircraft workers for increased production, said: “I have seen statements about some workers in aircraft factories sheltering throughout an air raid warning. I declare that aircraft factories must be prepared to work after the siren has sounded, it is imperative that there should be a considerable increase in output in the coming week, for the testing time may come upon us at the shortest notice. It is the duty of the aircraft factories to supply the men on the fighting front with all the aircraft required.”