Evening star., 1942-05-08
u. 5. Troops Reported
Among Units Pouring
Into Madagascar
Repatriation Is Offered
French; Restoration Of
Island Is Promised
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 8.-The Daily
Mail published today dispatch
from Madrid which said that
according to reports from
Vichy," the source of which was
undisclosed, United States and
South African troops "are pour
ing into Diego Suarez," the
Madagascar base just taken over
by the British.
Several hours after this report was
published there was no confirmation
from any source.
A Foreign ONCE commentator an
nounced that the British had offered
to repatriate any Frenchmen on
Madagascar who did not wish to
cooperate with the United Nations"
and pledged restoration of the is
land to France simultaneously with
the first landing on Madagascar
Tuesday.
Further Landings Necessary.
The first British landing resulted
in capture of the strategic Diego
Suarez naval base yesterday morn
ing, but military commentator
said further landings would be
necessary to obtain such vital
strategic points as the Tulear air
base if French resistance continued
The commentator said the offer
to the French was made to avoid
bloodshed' and was contingent on
French cooperation with the British
occupation forces.
He said, however, there was no
confirmation of reports that the
surrender terms at Diego Suarez in
cluded a cease fire" order for all
French forces on the island, 28, 500
square miles in area.
Casualties Less Than 1000.
1t was reported that more than
one-half of the French troops on
the island were involved in the de-
fense of the Diego Suarez naval base,
which would mean that the sur
render there minimized the French
chances of real resistance elsewhere.
Prior to the British attack, the
French declared they were able to
mobilize 5000 soldiers on the island.
A Vichy news broadcast, however,
estimated the total French defense
force as 1000 men. This version
said only 1900 French troops had
been engaged in the fight in the
Diego SuareZ area, presumably leav-
ing more than 5000 holding positions
to the south.
British casualties in the conquest
OF the Diego Suarez Bay area may
be considerably less than 1000, it
was stated authoritatively.
Prime Minister Churchill had told
the House of Commons yesterday
the casualties may exceed the 1000
figure.
A military commentator said in
fantry units which advanced in the
first attack on Antsirana and had
been reported missing now were
known to have established them
selves in independent positions near
the town.
They held on under French attack
until the British assault captured
the town and rescued them from
encirclement.
These forces took a number of
French prisoners in the first land
ing at Courier Bay, followed by
headlong assault on French coastal
batteries overlooking the bay, the
commentator said.
The Foreign Office commentator,
in explaining the British offer to the
French, declared:
They Informed authorities that
the territory of Madagascar would
remain French and after the war
would be restored to French SOW
ereignty.
They further stated that if mem
oers of civil and military organiza-
lions declared their intention to CO.
operate with the United Nations
heir salaries and pensions would be
provided from funds to be made
available for that specific purpose.
"A guarantee of repatriation was
given civil and military personnel
who did not wish to cooperate with |
he United Nations and could claim
he right to reside in metropolitan
France. Repatriation would take
,lace when ships were available.
THE condition laid down by the
orce commanders was that no de-
'truction of civil or military install |
ations, war stores, armament or |
ther supplies must be carried out by
he French on the island"
Presumably, he added. no reply
cas m ade tn thesa r,ropoSols