Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-25
Ports Surrender
Earlier Rumored
In Vichy
BY the Associated Press.

WIN -, otpl. o.-OllSOllill iilcu
and conflicting reports that Dakar,
capital of French West Africa, had
surrendered to the Free French"
and British expedition circulated
here today.
tAt the London headquarters
of Gen. Charles de Gaulle. leader
of the Free French" expedition
against Dakar, it was said "oper-
ations at Dakar are continuing
and that there was no conflrma-
ton of reports of the cltyS sur
renderD
1t could not be learned with GER
tainty whether the city still was
holding out or whether the eXpedl-
tionary troops had gained foothold
on the African coastline, taking the
key to the South Atlantic"
No official news from Dakar had
been announced since yesterday at
pm, when the British were re-
ported starting a violent raid.
1t was noted that reports of
French planes bombing Gibraltar
were circulated here yesterday after
noon but it was impossible to obtain
official confirmation or denial. To-
day the government announced off,
cially that an unspecified number OF
French planes bombed Gibraltar for
two hours yesterday in repriSal for
British action against Dakar with
Gen. Charles de Gaulle's Free
French" forces.
More Violent Attack.
Later details reaching the French
Admiralty said more violent fight
ing in the afternoon yesterday at
Dakar resulted in a considerably
greater number of victims and more
damage to the city than the British
morning action, which killed 1875
persons and wounded 1863 others.
A naval ministry communicate said
the civilian casualties included %
dead and 225 injured.
Dakar dispatches said the 5000
ton battleship Richelieu, put out of
commission in a British attack July
8, while unable to navigate, used her
heavy guns in defense. The Richelleu
was reported hit by aerial bombs.
Other French war vessels penned
in the harbor likewise were reported
replying to the British fire.
The Naval Ministry said six at
tempts to land troops had been re-
pulsed yesterday.
The ports radio station was out OF
commission. Radios aboard French
warships in the harbor are now the
only means of communication with
the city. it was said,
Hit on Cruiser Claimed.
The French said that one of their
planes had scored a direct hit on
British cruiser. They acknowledged
the loss of one plane.
Government circles said the British
naval superiority was overwhelming,
but expressed confidence the de-
tenders of Dakar were ample TO cope
with any landing forces.
Admirals Landreau and La CrolX,
commanders of the French squadron
at Dakar. cabled Vichy they were
prepared to fight to the end
The British feet renewed its
bombardment of the port Yesterday
the Petain government said, after
Gov. Gen Pierre BoisSon had re-
iected second ultimatum demand
ing that he surrender Dakar.
France has confided Dakar to
me-" Gov. Boisson was quoted as
saying. Il will defend it to the end"
Forts Destruction Threatened.
v, III ~ onUpJ0ff1nnt cnllrPpC
said. was backed by threat to de-
stroy Dakar's Notifications and oc-
cupy the city by force and was
signed by the admiral commanding
the British fleet
The headquarters of Gen. De
Gaulle in London last night
issued a lengthy communique
saying British forces off Dakar
were only there to assure sup
Elementary protection against
any attack that may be inspired
by Germans and carried out with
their participation
The communicate said Gen. De
Gaulle had sailed to Dakar in
French ships under the French
ensign, travelling with his troops
and escorted by battleships of the
free French Navy" 1t added he
had decided on the expedition ito
free the economic life of French
West Africa from slavery and to
prevent this colony from falling
into the hands of the Germans.
Dakar authorities were charged
with opening hostilities by firing
on launch bringing Gen. De
(See DAKAR, Page A-4D