Evening star., 1942-09-10
Madagascar Attack
Approved by U. 5.
In Par|eys Here
Vichy Protest Expected;
Axis Penetration of
Isle Held Danger
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

/
the whole of Madagascar Island
and launched their attack with
the approval of the American
Government, the State Depart
ment announced today after
waiting more than IL hours for
word to come that the blow had
been struck.
1t was considered likely that the
consequence of American approval
will be protest by Vichy to the
State Department on the ground
that the United States is encourag-
ing military action against the ter
ritory of a government with which
it is on formally friendly terms.
1.-The Government of the United
States has been informed by the
government of the United Kingdom
that developments in Madagascar
subsequent to the occupation of
Diego Suarez have not resulted in
adequate safeguards against Axis
penetration in other parts of the
island,'' the State Department said.
vichy Protested Last May.
The original British invasion of
Madascar and the occupation OF
Diego Suarez, at the northern tip of
the island, was completed early in
May and the Vichy government
protested vigorously to the United
States.
! 1t was wondered whether today's
action reflected apprehension lest
the japanese plan a naval attack
across the Indian Ocean to this is
land, which lies along the route OF
shipments from Great Britain and
the United States to Egypt and
Iran.
Another question raised by the
State Departments use OF the
phrase Axis penetration was
whether agents of Germany, Italy
and Japan are mingling among the
people inhabiting the island, which
is one of the largest in the world.
France was given assurance in the
announcement by the State Depart
| ment that Madagascar would be re-
turned to French ownership after
the war or at any time that the
occupation of the island is no longer
essential to the common cause of the
United Nations"
American Assurances Repeated.
This repeated the assurances given
by the American Government last
May 4, after the initial action by
the British against Madagascar.
In view of the danger of Axis
penetration" the State Department
said that "the British government,
with the approval of the Govern
ment of the United States, has
deemed it absolutely necessary to
undertake further military opera
tions in that area.
The Government of the United
States recognizes that military con-
siderations must be paramount in
reaching such a decision
THE penetration or occupation of
any part of Madagascar by the Axis
powers would constitute a definite
and a serious danger to the United
Nations
The full military occupation of
the island by British forces will
therefore not only contribute to the
successful conduct of the war against
the Axis forces but will be in the
interest of the United Nations"
Heavily Forested.
The British will have to move
south over the whole extent of the
island from Diego Suarez, which
is the chief port of Madagascar and
is at its northern tip The island
is mountainous and heavily forested
but it is peopled chiefly by savages
: and their civilized descendants, who
are not in a position to make any
effective military opposition to the
: occupation.
: The State Department said last
May that American troops would be
used to keep Madagascar out oil
Axis hands If it became necessary.
The statement today is a sug-
gestion that the whole military
activity is being left up to the
!; British without direct American in
volvement. An American military
step involving French territory
might precipitate a diplomatic crisis
between Washington and Vichy that
would prove insoluble.