Show Washington Confident Dakar Will Join Allies B By KINGSBURY SMITH S1 W WASHINGTON Nov 19 INS Official INS Official quarters in WashIngton WashIngton Washington Wash Wash- ington Thursday were confident that the great French naval base basea a at Dakar on the west coast const of A Africa rica will soon be made available to American forces While there Is no confirmation o of reports that a French military mission already Is en route from Dakar to north Africa to discuss a a. capitulation agreement American American Ameri Amen can officials would not be surprised surprised surprised sur sur- if such Is the case The view prevails strongly in official circles that Dakar will fall like a ripe plum into united nations lations hands as a result of the American oc occupation of French north Africa While it is not anticipated that the powerful French fleet at Dakar will immediately Join the allied cause it is felt that an agreement will be reached making that port available to American forces May Involve Supplies It is believed that the agreement probably will be based in part on an American offer to supply Dakar with food clothing and other civilian requirements President Roosevelt announced last Friday that lend-lease lend aid would be extended to the French African territories at at the discretion discretion discretion tion of Lieutenant General Dwight Eisenhower commander of the united nations forces in north Africa If Pierre Boisson the high commissioner commissioner commissioner com com- missioner of French west Africa is willing to cooperate with Gen Gen- General General General eral Eisenhower such aid might be extended to include provisioning provisioning provision provision- ing ng of the French warships in Dakar Boisson Is believed to be strongly strong strong- ly antinazi Reports were current In September that h he had threat threat- ened to resign if Vichy per the nazis to send planes to Dakar American officials are Inclined to feel that the German occupation of all France might swing Boisson over to the allied side at least to the extent of permitting American forces to use Dakar Darlan's Weight WeIght Admiral Jean Darlan's authority as administrator of French interests interests interests inter inter- ests in Africa also is considered to extend to Dakar and It is hoped that he may prove helpful in winning winning winning win win- ning over Boisson Recent reports received In Washington Washington Washington Wash Wash- ington indicated that that one of the most powerful units of the French fleet is stationed at Dakar The warships there are reported to include the battleship Richelieu the cruisers Montcalm and Georges t the e destroyers Malin and Terrible 12 submarines 10 corvettes and other light craft All these ships are relatively new |