COLONIES WILL BE DEFENDED

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

COLONIES WILL BE DEFENDED

“Force Will Be Met With Force”

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 24, 8.20 p.m.)

VICHY, September 23. At least 60 have so far been killed and 60 injured in the bombardment of Dakar. It is reported that six French warships, which recently arrived from Toulon and also the Richelieu, are returning the British fire. Reports reaching Vichy are scanty because the Dakar radio stations are damaged. Cabinet met immediately the news was received and decided to reply “to force with force.”

The Vichy radio announced that th>» shelling began after the GovernorGeneral, M. Boisson, had rejected the ultimatum to surrender by General de Gaulle, who was aboard the flagship. It was officially stated later that the attack on Dakar was worse than the one on Oran. There was no danger of Dakar becoming German to be used against England. The French Government had determined to defend the colonies against all attacks and had ordered the strongest possible military action against the British fleet in order to preserve Senegal. Dakar was an open town. There were no important land defences. Thus it was difficult to reply to the fleet’s guns, whose shells were falling in the town and port from which the natives .were fleeing. M. Paul Baudouin, Vichy Foreign Minister, read a statement to the Press in which he said: “Those Frenchmen who were hesitating to consider General de Gaulle a traitor have had their eyes opened. Britain’s action is not a casus belli. France will not declare war against England. Though wounded she is still capable of defending herself and replying with blow for blow.”

NAMING OF AMERICAN CRUISERS (British Official Wireless) (Received September 24, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, September 23. The inhabitants of Clare, Suffolk, England, with a population of 1300 sent the following cablegram to the Mayor of Clare, Michigan, United States: “Citizens of Clare, Suffolk, England, are delighted that an American destroyer is to bear a name common to both towns.”

MR EDEN INSPECTS HOME GUARD UNITS (Received September 24, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 23. Mr R. A. Eden, Secretary for War, spent the past week visiting units of the Home Guard in the London area. He saw a complete battalion of the Home Guard in military exercises and was highly gratified by all he witnessed.