Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1940. THE DAKAR AFFAIR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 1940. THE DAKAR AFFAIR.

Though, tlie expedition to Dakar did not achieve the result expected, the decision not to launch a major war operation against the French forces there acting under instructions from Vichy, and under Nazi domination, was correct in all the circumstances. It can be no part of British policy —nor of General de Gaulle’s either—to involve Frenchmen in a fight against each other or against British forces. Evidence on this point is supplied by the operations against the Germans in France. Scrupulous care has been taken not to attack cities and towns in Nazi occupation, except the Channel ports where invasion plans are being carried out. When General de Gaulle learned, following the decision of French Equatorial Africa, that a large proportion of French people in Senegal supported his movement, and that his arrival there would be welcome, the British Government endorsed a purely French expedition to Dakar, at the same time sending an escort of ships. The Germans must have quickly learned of this movement, as the Vichy Government despatched several warships from Toulon to Dakar while General de Gaulle’s expedition was en route. Their arrival was without doubt a matter of supreme importance in the events to follow, but the knowledge that they were not destined for ports under German control gave them, unfortunately as it has turned out, an unimpeded voyage. How watchful was the British eye was proved when their sudden dash further southwards was arrested by the British warships. General de Gaulle’s effort to enter into communication with the shore authorities was met with a dastardly attack on his . bearers carrying the Tricolour - and a white flag, and hostilities against his warships and the British vessels. -An attempt to land troops also failed, and it became apparent that Nazi domination of the French at Dakar was now too strong to achieve success without engaging in serious warfare. The action while it lasted was severe enough and casualties were suffered by each side. The Vichy Government has once more shown how indifferent it is to France’s fate, and more particularly at this moment _ to her colonial empire’s immediate future. Dakar is of considerable strategic and political importance. It stands athwart the great trade routes to South America and the Cape, and, since the Mediterranean has been closed to merchant shipping, to India, the Far East, and the Antipodes. It is the nearest point to the Americas and prior to the Avar a terminal for the South Atlantic air route. The Nazis have not been unappreciative of Dakar’s great importance and, as the Yorkshire Post writer says, Hitler Avants it

for himself as'an important point in his plans regarding the Americas, and for “liberating South Africa with General Hertzog’s aid.” NeAv York commentators have appreciated the security of Dakar for its important bearing upon the inviolability of the Americas from Hitler’s aggression, and their regret at the expedition’s failure is no less than Britain’s and the Free French movement’s. For the time being this rich strategic prize remains in the Vichy Government’s hands, but only nominally, for Nazi and Fascist domination will decide its policy and administration until, should they Avin, it becomes part of the rich spoils for division, Avith Hitler taking the lion’s share. That day has yet to come and none may fear it will, with Britain’s implacable might arrayed against her enemies. "