GENERAL DE GAULLE WITHDRAWS

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 5

GENERAL DE GAULLE WITHDRAWS

Naval Authorities Fire

On Troops

DESIRE TO AVOID FIGHT BETWEEN FRENCHMEN

(United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 24, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 24.

Because the naval authorities at Dakar, capital of French West Africa, fired on his emissaries and then his troops when they attempted to land, General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free Frenchmen, decided to withdraw rather than be a party to a fight between Frenchmen. General de Gaulle accompanied by a force of Frenchmen and a British force, had gone to Dakar at the call of a number of his supporters there who opposed the policy of the Vichy Government.

It was stated in London that recent reports showed that the Germans were making persistent efforts to bring Dakar under their control and the movement of French warships from Toulon to Dakar which could not have been effected without German permission, gave more evidence on this point. A considerable element of the population was opposed to the Vichy Government’s policy of subservience to Berlin. Reports from Vichy continually stated that British forces had landed at Dakar, but these were denied by the Ministry of Information. A communique issued by General de Gaulle’s headquarters in London this morning stated that the general had been called to Dakar by a number of Frenchmen. He was accompanied by French soldiers and sailors. The naval authorities ordered fire to be opened on his emissaries, who were unarmed and carried a white flag, and two of the four of them were wounded. General de Gaulle then attempted to land his troops; but fire was opened and several were killed or wounded. General de Gaulle then withdrew his sloops and ships, as he did not wish to be a party to fighting between Frenchmen.