PRECAUTIONS IN FRENCH GUINEA

Southland Times, Issue 24881, 22 October 1942, Page 5

PRECAUTIONS IN FRENCH GUINEA

Sierra Leone Border Defended

(Rec. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 20. Native troops in French Guinea are reported to be preparing defence positions along the Sierra Leone border against a possible Allied advance against Dakar from Freetown, says the Madrid correspondent of The Daily Mail. Observers point out that a land assault against Dakar through French Guinea and Senegal would be resisted mainly by natives lacking tanks. Intensive training of new Senegalese battalions has been in progress for the last 18 months. It seems fairly obvious that Marshal Petain’s recent conferences with military and naval officials was concerned with defence. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times says that the talk of an Allied advance on Dakar in French West Africa is ridiculous because communications between jungle-clad Liberia and the remainder of Africa hardly exist. Berlin radio, quoting a well-informed neutral who has recently arrived in Lisbon after a long visit to Africa, says it is expected in the British and African colonies that a British and American attack against French West Africa will take place some time after the end of October. This is the beginning of the dry season and the road linking the west coast with Egypt will shortly be completed. REINFORCEMENTS AT DAKAR

Recent reinforcements, including naval units, have increased the white garrison of Dakar from 15,000 to 50,000 men, according to the British United Press correspondent at the Vichy West African stronghold. Soldiers, sailors and airmen jam the streets and women and children are leaving the town as transport becomes available. Axis propagandists have been busy for several days predicting a second front at Dakar and connect the visit of the South African Prime Minister. General J. C. Smuts, to London with this.

The semi-official American 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 has entered the war. It could serve as a jumping off place for planes operating against our South American ally.” The Army and Navy Journal adds that Vichy is apprehensive that the United States will seize French Caribbean territories.„ “They have reason for their fear,” it says. “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 the Americans intend to remain in Liberia as a protective policy, the only place they can go by land is across French soil. TROOPS IN MIDDLE EAST Rome radio reports that fresh contingents of American troops have arrived in Lebanon, including numerous air units. They have been ordered to occupy the Syrian aerodromes. Berlin radio says that the Americans have arrived in Syria before proceeding to Persia and Russia.

A Vichy message says that several important British newspapers last week published more or less sensational reports that Axis submarines are finding facilities in the French West Indies and French West Africa or are being supplied from French ships off the African coast. The French Admiralty is not going to attempt to deny all the falsehoods circulating of this nature, but in view of the extent of the false reports referred to it again declares that all are without the slightest foundation.