DAKAR’S GARRISON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 21 October 1942, Page 5

DAKAR’S GARRISON

INCREASED TO 50,000 I WOMEN AND CHILDREN LEAVING | SEMI-OFFICIAL U.S. COMMENT (Rec. 10.0 a.m.) London, Oct. 20. Recent reinforcements, including: naval units, increased Dakar’s white garrison from 15,000 to 50,000 says the correspondent of the British United Press at Vichy’s stronghold. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen jam the streets. Women and children are leaving the town as j transports become available. Axis propagandists have been busy for several days predicting a second front at Dakar, and connect the visit of Field-Marshal Smuts to London with this. The American semi-official “Army and Navy Journal” says: “What is in the German mind may compel us to co-operate with the British in seizing Dakar, which is even more important since Brazil entered the war. It could serve as a jumping-off place for planes operating against our South American ally.” The journal adds that Vichy is apprehensive that the United States will seize French Caribbean territories and they have reason for their fear. Negotiations with the Governor-General of those territories have not been concluded. and doubtless the prolonged delay in meeting our demands will cause us to act.” Washington observers point out that unless Americans intend to remain in Liberia as a protective policy the only place they could go by land would be across French soil. The diplomatic correspondent of “Th e Times" say talk of an Allied advance on Dakar is ridiculous, because communications between jungle-clad Liberia and the remainder of Africa hardly exist—P.A. BERLIN RADIO REPORT (Rec. 11.0 a.m.) London. Oct. 20 Berlin radio, quoting a well-inform-ed neutral who has recently arrived in Lisbon after a long visit to Africa.” said it is expected in British and African colonies that a British and American attack against French West Africa will take place some time after the end of October, which is the beginning of the dry season, and the road linking the west coast with Egypt will shortly be completed.—P.A.