ATTEMPT FAILS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1940, Page 7

ATTEMPT FAILS

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

EMISSARIES WOUNDED

BRITISH BOMBARD TOWN

Received 10.30 p.m. London, Septernber 24. ■gRITISH warships bombarded the African port of Dakar in French Senegal, and French warships in the port replied, after Senegal had refused an ultimatum from General de Gaulle, leader of the free French forces, demanding its surrender. General de Gaulle was at the head of a free French force and had British warships to support him. A communique was issued by General de Gaulle s headquarters to-day. It said that General de Gaulle, called to Dakar by numerous Frenchmen who wished to join the free Fiench movement, appeared before the fortress of Dakar with emissaries to the Government. The French naval authorities ordered fire to be opened on the emissaries, despite the fact that they bore a Tricolour and a white flag. Two of the four emissaries were seriously wounded. "Later General de Gaulle attempted to land troops peacefully," the communique added, "but fire was opened on them and several were killed and wounded. General de Gaulle then withdrew his troops because he did not want to be a party to a fight between Frenchmen." "There is no truth in reports from Vichy that a British landirig was attempted near Dakar," said a statement issued by the British Ministry of Information this morning. British ships are reported at Vichy to have shelled the European quarter of Dakar, where there are 3000 inhabitants, as well as the native mud hut.city behind the double breakwater. They are also reported to have shelled the radio station, the Governor's house, an aerodrome at Wakam, ten miles north-west of Dakar, at which a powerful air force is concentiated, and an important railway junction outside the city.

The British ships attacked from the south, coming from Bathurst. They left Gibraltar ten days ago when they learned of the French vessels going to Dakar. The British ships remained at Bathurst and intervener! for the first time several days ago when three French warships attempted to go to Libreville from Dakar. The British force is reported to include one battleship, an aircraft carrier, four cruisers, six auxiliary cruisers, a number of destroyers, and four transports. The following statement was issued by the British Ministry of Information:— "Recent reports show that the Germans have been making persistent efforts to bring Dakar under their control, and the movements of French ships from Toulon to Dakar, which clearly could not have been effected without German perfnission, gave further evidence of the attempt which was in contemplation. "In view of the fact that a considerable element of population were opposed to the Vichy Government's policy of subservience to Berlin and had declared in favour of free France, General de Gaulle decided to proceed with a free French force to Dakar and assist those elements which supported his cause. He arrived off Dakar this morning and has summoned his followers to rally to the flag of free France. "Resistance seems to haVe been encountered, but the situation is not yet fully clear. General de Gaulle's free French force was accompanied by a British force, which will lend him full support. At Least 120 Casualties. At least 60 have «o far been killed and 60 injured in the bombardment of Dakar, it is stated at Vichy. It is reported that the six French warships which recently arrived from Toulon, as well as the Richelieu, returned the British fire. Reports reaching Vichy are scanty, because the Dakar radio station has been damaged. The Cabinet met immediately the news was received and decided to reply to "force with force." The shelling began after the governor, General Boisson, had rejected an ultimatum demanding surrender by General de Gaulle. who is aboard the flagship, according to the Vichy radio. It is officially stated that the attack on Dakar was worse than that on Oran. There is no danger of Dakar becoming German and being used against England. The French Government has determined to defend its colonies against all attacks and has ordered the strongest possible military action against the British fleet ifl order to preserve Senegal. Dakar is an open town and there are no important land defences. Thus it is difficult to reply to the fleet's guns, the shells from which fell in the town and the port, from which the natives are fl'eeing. The Petain Foreign Minister, M. Paul Baudouin, read a statement to the Press in which he said: "Those Frenchmen who hesitate to consider General de Gaulle a traitor have had their eyes opened. Britain's action is not a casus belli, and France will not declare war against England. Though wounded, she is still capable of defending herself and replying with blow for blow."