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AN APPARENT FAILURE.

J-JOPES that French West Africa would follow the example of other colonies in rallying to the cause of Free France have collapsed for the time being with the news of the withdrawal from the operations at Dakar of the forces headed by General de Gaulle and the supporting British naval forces. Much as the event is to be regretted, no reasonable fault can be found , with the position taken up in the matter by the British Government and by the leader -of the Free French forces. On behalf of Britain it is stated that it had never been the intention of the Government to enter into serious warlike operations against Frenchmen who felt it their duty to obey the commands of the Vichy Government, while General de Gaulle, as soon as he found that the Vichy Government and the German advance guard had made it impossible for him to land in West Africa without undertaking a major operation, of French soldiers fighting French soldiers, decided to retire. It seems very possible, however, that other factors than those on which the British decision has meantime been based may presently enter into the situation. Britain has made it clear that she has no idea of attempting a coup d’etat against French possessions in West Africa, but she. certainly cannot be expected to stand idly by if the Vichy Government, which seems anxious only to do what it is told by its Axis taskmasters, allows these possessions or others to be used by the enemy as bases from which to attack British shipping. Prompt action was taken by Britain when the French warships which had been allowed to proceed from Toulon to Dakar steamed south from the latter port on a course suggesting that “they might be. intending to interfere with the situation in French Equatorial Africa.” A British naval squadron intercepted these ships and turned them back. No doubt equally vigilant and resolute measures will be taken if necessary to prevent Dakar being used by the enemy as a submarine or air base. Little faith obviously is to be placed in the Vichy Government. On Ihe other hand, the hope of a popular and spontaneous movement in French West Africa in favour of linking up with Free France, though it is deferred, has perhaps not completely disappeared.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19400927.2.27

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1940, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
388

AN APPARENT FAILURE. Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1940, Page 4

AN APPARENT FAILURE. Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1940, Page 4

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