The original Allied disposition in Somaliland." the communique said. wax based on the scheme of close Franco-British cooperation. Under this scheme, the French forces. at Djibult wore to hold the ight flank the pivot of the whole position. "With the added secession ofthe Prench Government from participation further hostilities, anew and grave situation was created. More "than walt the available Allied force had and it became assary to decide upon effective measures dealing with the emergency.
"Various alternatives. were fo un We could. reinforce. British Somaliland in suMieent strength to censure its safety. but to do so. would ave involved employing important reserves and thereby weakening reserves in other theatres of war. more important to our immediate. war efforts than Somaliland.
This meant giving up British ter tory without fighting and thereby losing the opportunity "of inflicting losses on. the enemy in men and. material which it will be die ult for him to replace.
"The third course was to remai with our small force, using i to ict" the maximum losses on the enemy until the withdrawal was de-ided. The third course was chosen {and the evacuation of Somaliland has how "been successfully completed. Our force has been withdrawn, duns, except two lost in the earlier Stages of action, "have been embarked."—United' Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.