DAKAR INCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 7

DAKAR INCIDENT

REGARDED AS CLOSED VICHY GOVERNMENT'S DECLARATION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 26. (Received September 27, at 9.7 a.m.)] The Vichy correspondent of the Associated Press says it is authoritatively stated that the Dakar incident is closed as far as the French are concerned. FRENCHMEN IN GAMEROONS DETERMINED TQ STAND BY BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 26. (Received September 27, at 10.50 a.m.) The following message has been received by'Mr Churchill from Duala today Frenchmen in-the Gameroons who have learnt of the recent events at Dakar take this opportunity-to affirm to the British Prime Minister their de- t termination to continue the struggle against Germany side by side with tbs British Government. In their- view, Frenchmen subservient to Vichy are Hitler’s allies and are accepting the leadership of traitors who will one day .. pay dearly for their treason.” Mr Churchill replied: “ I have received a telegram sent by representatives in tjie French Gameroons of exservicemen of the last and present-war, of officers and soldiers of the forces, administrators, civil servants,' doctors, police, merchants, colonists, planters, and missionaries declaring their intention to fight on until Victory is won. In the name of the (British Goverment, I wish to thank them for their encouraging message and tell them of the pleasure it gives me to know that they will continue the struggle side by side with the British Empire until France is freed and restored and the shadow of German tyranny is driven from the face of the earth for ever.” FREE FRENCHMEN MR DUFF COOPER'S TRIBUTE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 26. (Received September 27, at 12.10 p.m.) 1 Speaking at a luncheon given to him by the Free French newspaper ‘ France,’ which started publication a month ago, the Minister of Information said; ‘‘ At the moment across the Channel a dark cloud dims the mind of your compatriots and blinds them to their true interest, the source of their future prosperity, and the ,very personality of those who, arms in hand, are defending their integrity, their essential liberties, and the future of their children.” Strong Free Frenchmen, Mr Duff Cooper pdded, had their eyes open, and ‘ France,’ difficult though its task was, would l fill a vital need in tightening the bonds between the French and British which were an essential condition for freedom in Europe and the world. DAKAR FORCES ACTED UNDER GERMAN PRESSURE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 26. (Received September 27, at 1.5 p.m.) A communique from General de Gaulle’s headquarters stated that.the troops who fired on his forces at Dakar did so under German pressure. VICHY ACCOUNTS OF ACTION VICHY, September 26. (Received September 27, at 2.30 p.m.) It is officially announced that the French submarine Bevezers torpedoed H.M.S. Resolution, which withdrew, listing and without firing. The Richelieu fired its 14in guns, hitting H.M.S. Barham. French planes shot down a British plane spotting for the naval guns. The British warships left Dakar at 5.30 p.m. on September 25. DANISH KING'S BIRTHDAY , CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 26. (Received September 27, at 12.10 p.m.) 1 To-day being the birthday of Kin* Christian of Denmark, Danes living in Britain fittingly celebrated the occasion. In London the Danish Club wa» the scene of the biggest meeting, when 300 Danes took the opportunity to pay homage to their Kihg and country and listened to speeches by the Danish Ambassador and the club chairman. A special tribute to His' Majesty was made by M. Benediktesson, Icelandia Charge d’Affaires, who brought that country’s greetings and stressed that Iceland had not forgotten hep King. _____ NOT SERIOUSLY WOUNDED (Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON*. September 27. Pilot-officer lan Clark Kirk, of Auckland, previously reported a prisonei of war and seriously wounded, is mm reported not seriously wounded. His mother is Mrs Kirk, care ol Mrs M‘i lines, Kolmar road, Papatoetoe.