Washington, May 18.
ENATER Claude Pepper of Florida recommended yesterday that the United States should seize Dakar and other strategic exercises was the landing of planes and groups of parachute the industrial town of Mite:
The newspaper "Izvestia" that despite skilful camouflage and use of terrain, none of the parachute isis was able to reach the strategy points laid down as their objectives—Reuter, French colonial points to prevent their use by Germany against the Western Hemisphere.
Sen. Pepper charged that Germany is trying force or through collaboration with the Vichy government and would use it eventually as the base for an attack on South America.
The Senator made his statement shortly after a conference with President Roosevelt, but said this constituted his personal viewpoint and was not Mr. Roosevelt's. It was recalled. however, that Senator Pepper has often made "trial balloon" statements to test public reaction, and if favourably received the suggestions often became a part of administration policy later.
'Sen. Pepper pointed out that seizure by the United States of Dakar and other vantage points would prevent "a bloody affair" Which, would result if America' attempted to dislodge (Germany after the Nazis had occupied such strategic bases.
^I believe that Herr Hitler will make his first attack on it Dakar through South America." Senator added—United Press Vichy, May 18.
Marshal Henri Petain's Government officially declared yesterday that France would defend Dakar "against all aggression" and denied foreign reports that Nazi occupation of the key base on the French West African coast had been envisaged in the conversations between Chancellor Adolf Hitler and Admiral Francois Darlan French Vice-Premier.
The statement was issued apparently in reply to suggestions abroad that the United States might occupy Dakar to prevent Germany from gaining a foothold there—United Press.
London, May 18.
Neither Free French nor British sources have any news of Feports from abroad that Germans have seized any parts of Dakar, although they pointed out the possibility that German technicians who have been in Dakar may have been granted permission to use certain facilities. such as for the refuelling of submarines—United Press Injured British Bomb Designer Improving London. Ma Air Commodore Huskinson. bomb mer, whose eyes were injured when he was watching the effect of a blast of German bombs during raid. is in the country recuperating. He left a hospital a day or two ago wearing dark glasses and unable yet to use his eyes but there is every hope that even if his sight may be a little impaired he will recove sufficient! to resume his work at the Ministry of Aircraft Production Escaped Airmen Caught London, May 18.
After an all-night search two more of five Nazi airmen who escaped from zn internment camp in Northwest England on Friday morning were recaptured yesterday. leave 1 g one still lat liberty—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.