THE DAKAR INCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 6

THE DAKAR INCIDENT

Developments at the French West African port of Dakar have taken an unexpected turn in the withdrawal of the Free French force under General de Gaulle which three days ago attempted to invest the town and, in the name of Free France, take over the administration of Senegal. The position, despite official " explanations," is still somewhat obscure and more than a little puzzling. The suggestion is that General de Gaulle was less than accurately informed concerning the strength of native feeling against submission to the authority of the Vichy Government. It is, however, difficult to believe that, for it is known that a vigorous anti-Axis movement does exist. The Senegalese have intimated clearly that they have no allegiance to offer to the puppet Government at Vichy, and it is also known that the administration taking its authority from Vichy has had to maintain its position in the territory by force. What seems clear, however, is that German and Italian influences are powerfully established at Dakar. Otherwise the resistance offered to the de Gaulle force would not have been possible. General de Gaulle was doubtless placed in an embarrassing situation by the failure of his attempt to secure control by peaceful means. He had hoped that the sentiment in favour of Free France would prove strong enough to enable his entry into the town unopposed. When that was shown not to be the case he had to choose between the use of superior force or withdrawal, and he chose the latter course rather than pit Frenchman against Frenchman. The agreement which he had reached with the British Government in August pro-

vided, indeed, that the French force assisting Great Britain would never be required to take up arms against France. The British Government, for its part, is reluctant to involve itself in what would be an act of war against France, and for this reason there seems to be no question, for the present at any rate, of vigorous action against Dakar being taken by the British Navy. The fact remains, nevertheless, that the problem of the control of Dakar is one that will have to be solved, for the port is of distinct importance from both the military and economic viewpoints. It is a fine harbour and a useful and well-equipped naval base, it is the terminus of an extensive system of communications linking the western side of the continent with the east, and it possesses a modern airport. Moreover, it looks out across the South Atlantic to Latin America and the Caribbean defences of the Panama canal, and from it the great shipping routes from South America and South Africa might be commanded—a possibility which has certainly not been overlooked by Germany in her efforts to establish a counterblockade against Great Britain. It may be assumed, therefore, that the Dakar incident will not be closed by the' withdrawal of the British and French squadrons. A major sive action against it may not be deemed practicable or expedient at this juncture, but it seems certain that independent British action will be taken if effective control of the port by a hostile Power becomes a definite possibility.