FEARS FOR DAKAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 235, 5 October 1942, Page 3

FEARS FOR DAKAR

FRENCH

AGITATION

British-American Attack

Expected

United Pre.-s Association—Copyright Ree. noon. LONDON'. Oct. 1

French politicians, both in Vichy and Paris, expect an Allied attack on Dakar in the near future, says Reuter's correspondent on the French frontier. Marcel Deat and other French Quislings are agitating for an immediate defensive alliance with the Axis to protect Dakar from a British and American move.

Hitler is reported to have offered to take over the protection of the French possessions. The Petain Cabinet is believed to have discussed the defence of Dakar when it met yesterday.

I The Paris radio said: "We expect an attack on Dakar any day. We hope the period of 'wait and see' has ended. Certain Frenchmen believe that Britain will return the French colonies after the war, but, if we want them we shall have to take them back. Collaboration with Germany is France's last chance. It is not beyond our dignity to ask Germany for material help in the defence of our colonies ana to associate our victors with this defence." It is reported from Gibraltar that a convoy of 14 merchantmen, one battleship, two cruisers, six destroyers and three submarines left on Friday evening for the Atlantic.

French naval reinforcements are reported to have reached Dakar from the naval base at Toulon, says Reuter's correspondent on the French-Swiss border. A submarine flotilla is stated to have pierced the Straits of Gibraltar on September 20. The Berlin radio says 20 ships carrying a division of United States troops and war material have arrived at Port Takoradi, Gold Coast, to reinforce the Allied army in Egypt.