The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-25
German Ruled Paris Press Asks
 Nazis To Occupy Dakar, Senegal
They Are Very Close to French West Africa,
 South America
tBy United Press)

The German controlled Paris press broke out today with an in- direct proposal for German occupa- ton of Dakar, Senegal, the nearest point in French West Africa to South America.
 The papers published a report that the United States is considering the occupation of Liberia, on the coast south of Dakar, and demanded that France start negotiations with :Eu- ropean powers" to take over the indispensable protection of Da- kar. The papers suggested the ar- rangement be similar to the one under which the Vichy government agreed to the Japanese occupation of French 1ndo-China.
 The suggestion is of direct inter- est to the United States, where Da- kar is regarded as the probable jumping off place for any NaM in- cursion into the new world. It has been mentioned by President Roosevelt as potential menace. Why Liberia was picked on as a pretext for what looks like a trial balloon is not entirely clear. There has been no hint in Washington that any such move has even been contemplated.
 Not Suited as Base
 While Liberia is an unofficial ward" of the United States, 1t is not particularly suited as Q base for military operations. While 1t is strategically situated on the South Atlantic trade route, with a coast line 30 miles long, 1t has no har- bors, which would be a detriment to an overseas expedition.
 The United Staes has pushed its defense outposts in the north from Greenland to Iceland. If the time comes when similar extension is deemed necessary in the south, there are islands off the coast which probably would be considered ahead of any expedition to the contin- ent.
 Chief of these are the Portuguese Azores and Cape Verde islands. Por- tugal has expressed uneasiness over the possibility of interference with the islands and 1t was learned re- gently she has sent military and naval forces there to resist foreign encroachment.
 Cape Verde Islands
 The Cape Verde Islands, 460 miles of the coast, flank Dakar effective ly from the northwest. If the United States should want to isolate Dakar, they would be logical base. To flank Dakar on the south, a landing on the Continent would be neces- sary, because there are no more islands.
 Rather than Liberia, British Sierra Leone would be a more probable choice. It is 800 miles south of Dakar and has in Freetown an ex- cellent harbor. Arrangements could be made with the British for its use as in the case Of Bermuda and other western hemisphere possessions. An attempt to occupy Dakar itself by force-since the French are unlike ly to give their consent, would prove 8 major military operation.
 It is well defended and there have been numerous reports that Ger man technicians are there, working with the French to build up fur- ther Notifications. The failure of the De Gaulle expedition in Septem- Der of 1940. backed by the British fleet, testifieS to the strength of Dakar. Little information on its de- 1 fenSe has leaked through the cen- Sors.
 A railroad line runs from Dakar | to St. Louis in Senegal and the Ger mans are said to be extending 1t | into French Algeria to insure a how 1 of supplies. Il
 Washington apparently expects the | Germans to move into West Africa. The sttement of Sumner Welles that Germany plans a new European conquest after the Russian campaign | was interpreted as suggesting that | the West African move would be | accompanied or preceded by "pro- tectiye" invasion Of Spain or PcE- tugal.