The Waikato Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1940 MYSTERIOUS TRANSFER OF SHIPS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21222, 19 September 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1940 MYSTERIOUS TRANSFER OF SHIPS

The passage from Toulon, through the Straits of Gibraltar to Dakar, in French Senegal, of three French cruisers and three destroyers remains, for the general public, one of the mysteries of the war in the Mediterranean. According to the Vichy Government, the ships were sent to convoy French supply ships to France, but in view of the British Government’s refusal to relax the blockade for fear that the supplies would benefit Germany, that explanation is not taken seriously. The British Navy could, if it wished, have stopped the ships at Gibraltar. The naval authorities explain that it was only because the ships were leaving and not entering the Mediterranean that they were allowed to proceed. Six modern warships have in any case been withdrawn from possible seizure by Italy or Germany. The question is naturally being asked whether the ships left Toulon with the approval of the Vichy Government and whether they have not joined the forces of Free France. The British authorities probably know the answer. It can be taken for granted that they would not allow the warships to proceed if there was any likelihood of them becoming a menace to Britain or falling into the hands of the enemy. Early developments may disclose the whole motive behind the transfer. Much will depend upon the decision of the French West African Federation whether it will remain faithful to the Vichy Government or declare for General de Gaulle’s Free France. Several of the West African territories have already revolted against the Vichy Government, and it is not improbable that Senegal will soon follow that lead.

There are other possibilities. If the Vichy Government sanctioned the departure of the ships it must have recognised the possibility that they would pass over to Free France. Does this betoken a further development of the anti-German feeling in metropolitan France ? Was France willing that the six warships should be removed from the danger of seizure by Germany or Italy and saved to fight the battle for the liberation of France ? In any case, from Britain’s point of view it is preferable that the ships should be at Dakar rather than at Toulon, for they are now certainly lost to Germany and Italy and, if that is necessary, to France, for they will not again be allowed to enter the Mediterranean. If they join forces with Free France they will be a welcome addition to the Allied strength.

Another point of particular interest in connection with the Mediterranean position is the failure of General Weygand to reach Algeria because of a mysterious accident to his aeroplane. It cannot be imagined that an ordinary accident would prevent him later making the journey. He remains in France, and there must be a reason for the sudden change of plans. General Weygand’s mission was understood to be to consolidate relations between the Vichy Government and overseas France. Colonies were drifting away to join the Allies and Weygand was to step into the breach. It is suggested that he would have found opinion drastically changed in Algeria, and that the visit Was abandoned for fear of precipitating a crisis and deciding Algeria and perhaps other territories to cut the last remaining ties with France.