IMPORTANT PORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 9

IMPORTANT PORT

MODERN FACILITIES STRATEGIC POSITION RECENT GERMAN INTEREST A well-equipped harbour and naval base facilities make Dakar, in French West Africa, one of the most important ports in the French Colonial Empire. Dakar is also the seat of the general Government for the whole oT French West Africa. The area of the port is about 276 acres, the southern portion being the commercial harbour, with an area of 130 acres, and the remainder being ! used as a naval harbour. Vessels may enter the commercial harbour drawing 32ft. There is anchorage for 18 vessels in the harbour, and there are 21 loading berths, alongside quays of an average length of 328 ft. Two wharves provide berthing accommodation for four vessels drawing 26ft. There are numerous cargo sheds and the quays are all well lit by electricity, while the port also has railway facilities. In addition, there are two modern coaling depots and four storage tanks for fuel oil, supplying a special oiling berth Considerable Export Trade The commercial importance of Dakar is revealed by the trade statistics for French West Africa in 1937, when imports were valued at 1,694,405.000 francs, and exports at 1,512,149,000 francs. The principal items of export are nuts, cocoa, gold, palm-oil, coffee and tropical fruits. Apart from its commercial importance, Dakar possesses a considerable strategic significance, more or less commanding the normal trade routes to the Cape and to South America. In; this .connection the diplomatic correspondent of the Sunday Times recently stated that the interest .viown by Germany in Dakar was regarded as an extremely serious matter in responsible British quarters. He referred to a German landing by air at Dakar some weeks ago to capture a Polish ship, but stated that this could not be the whole explanation.

Reconnaissance for Occupation "The raid is regarded in London as being more in the nature of a reconnaissance party, possibly to be followed by a swarm of troop-carrying aeroplanes from Libya," the correspondent said. "These troops would, roughly after the Norwegian model, seek to gain control of the port of Dakar, which is one of the most vital strategic points in Africa. "Such a German control of Dakar would endanger not only France's West and Central African possessions, but might well constitute a menace to Sierra Leone and other British possessions on the West Coast, and, in fact, to the whole of Britain's hitherto unassailable position in Africa. "The least it could do would be to establish a strong German air base — ultimately a naval base —on the Atlantic route to the Cape, and to add another to the already numerous and onerous tasks of the British Navy. "Moreover, it would greatly reduce the chances of organising any National French movoment of resistance in the French Colonial Empire."

AMERICANS PLEASED IMPORTANCE OF DAKAR INVASION OF SOUTH AMERICA (Received September 24, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 Comment by United States officials indicated' that they are pleased that Britain attacked Dakar in an effort to establish the De Gaulle regime, because Dakar is regarded as the most likely point from which Germany might invade South America. They added that it was a tragedy that it should be the fate of France to be simultaneously fighting Britain at Dakar and Japan in Indo-China. RETURN FROM SYRIA FRENCH ARMY TRANSFER (Received September 24 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24 It is reported from Beirut that 10,000 French soldiers are returning to France from Syria this month, after which the transfer will continue until the garrison is at its pre-war establishment of 40.000. LONDON RELIEF FUND IN SOUTH AFRICA (Received September 24, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 23 South Africa has raised approximately during tljo first week of the London Civil Distress Fund appeal. RATIONING IN FRANCE LONDON, Sept. 23 The Berlin news agency states that bread, pastry, cheese, coffee, sugar, rice and meat fats have been rationed in France from to-day.