AXIS FREEBOOTERS

Evening Star, Issue 23699, 5 October 1940, Page 12

AXIS FREEBOOTERS

FRENCH NORTH AFRICAN COLONIES EVERY OUNCE BEING SQUEEZED FROM COUNTRY FAST SHIPPING LINES ANQ AIR SERVICES LONDON, October 3. 1 The Times ’ says that two new airline networks and also a transMediterranean shipping service are hurrying supplies of men and money from the Axis colonies to the surrendered French colonies in North Africa. The German air services are based at Toulouse, Alicante. Oran, Fez, and Dakar. The last-named is the pivotal point for the whole of German penetration in Africa. ’An Italian line runs to Tunis and another through the Balearies, Cadiz to Casablanca. All passengers are military, either uniformed officers sent to negotiate with representatives of the Vichy Government or officers dressed as civilians who disappear in a town to sow propaganda by money or threats. Two shipping lines have been created in Morocco with fast French packet boats making unescorted trips between Algiers, Oran, Marseilles, Toulon and Genoa. They are too fast for submarines, and travel mostly at night to avoid British bombers.

Every ounce that can be squeezed from the reluctant and resentful North African colonifes is being piled on these ships. Vichy is helpless, being forced to accept a general covering agreement by which Germany gets 60 per cent, of tho wheat, fruits, wines, tobacco, and dairy produce. Italy and France each get 20 per cent. Two steamers which recently left Syria for France were forced to discharge in Italy. Germans virtually control Dakar. They have taken over the control of the port* the censorship, tho air lines and the overland routes. They have stopped the recruiting of Senegalese riflemen and several crack units have been disbanded.

Germany’s chief activity, however, is centred on' building air and sea bases. Lufthansa pilots and ground crews are already at Dakar preparatory to opening a trade offensive on South America. Brazil is the immediate target. German agents are known to be negotiating with a South American shipper to open a service to Dakar.

Meanwhile, the Italians and Spaniards are preparing the international zone of Tangier as a vital half-way house on the new Axis route. The Axis Powers have over-ruled the International Commission on which Britain is represented, and arms smuggling on a large scale, contrary to the laws of the zone, is going on. Tho entire Press has swung to the Axis.