Sept. 25.
The report of the naval engagement at Dakar between British and French units cannot but cause the most grievous pain, for there is little that can be so distressing as the knowledge that men who a few weeks ago were devoted comrades in arms are now compelled to fight each other. The necessity of doing so has been brought about by the discovery of another German plot, this time to bring Dakar under their control; it is clearly for that reason that the three French cruisers and three destroyers were rermitied by the German government to be dispatched from Toulon for the African port. It is quite obvious that Great Britain cannot tolerate for one moment the establishment of German outposts in French colonial posses sions, and Dakar under the Germans, with by no means unimposing French "naval force could have made things particularly inconvenient for the British. With Dakar as. base those French vessels could easily have been used as commerce raiders, probably necessitating the diversion of a substantial portion of the British leet for some time to run them down, The destruction of French naval vessels, of the Richelieu at Daka was one of the most painful episodes of the war, The decision to take such action bore heavily upon Mr. Winston Churchill and his Cabinet. But it was Imperatively neces sary, If_confirmation were needed of that View, it is to be found in the fact that the Richelieu is reported to have been in dry= dock undergoing repairs to the damage done fa short while ago. Why, if she were not being prepared for future' action? Tf it was hot ithe intention of Germany, if not the Vieny Government, ultimately to use that battleship what necessity was there for palying her? The evidence that the Germans wore contemplating using Dakar as a base For further action against the British is over~ whelming, but the rapid decision of the British Cabinet has again totied their pur pose. That Whitehall moved with due can tion, is evidenced by the fact that the French naval unit from Toulon was not attacked Until it had clearly shown its destination, But directly that was known there could be rho question of allowing Dakar to remain in the hands of a French Government com= pletely subordinate to German demands as the recently signed armistice so clearly shows Vichy thas sought to. make much of the allegation that on the formation of General Gaulle' army, it_was said that it would not be used exchange of correspondence between General Gaulle and Mr, Churchill concerning the organtaation, employment and conditions of Service of the French Volunteer Force, does completely substantiate that statement, is letter to Mr, Churchill of August 7 1940, General de Gaulle expressly states: vouch force mow In'protess of constitution "For my part, T confirm to you that the
Inlended: to. take part in operations against the common enemies: (Germans, laly oF aay faber, Hostile foreign Power), including the fiofence of French territories" and territories tier French mandate, and. the. defence of British territories and' eommunteations, and territories under British mandate The situation, therefore, is quite clear. General de Gaulle in proceeding to Dakar with his forces, and British reinforcements is secking to prevent the port falling under German control—even though it be through Vichy.—and is consequently acting in defence of French territory against. the common enemy.
Sad as this spectacle of old comrades in arms fighting against one another must be, and it is a tragedy that bonds consecrated in the common sacrifice of two great wars should thus be sundered, there is, from the British point of view, satisfaction that the British Government has again demonstrated fis readiness to take unpalatable, but nevertheless logical decisions, and strike swiftly. There is only one thing that matters in this, war, and that is to win it, Much may yet be done which may hurt the feelings' of former friends, but it is necessary that they' should remember that the Allies are faced by a ruthless foe, and that it is only by the] display of equal ruthlessness that there can bbe any real hope for the restoration of her liberty to France. Vichy will not be allowed to play the German game, much as. the stopping of it must pain all those to love, and esteem the country: it is said to rule.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.