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West Africa.
11.
French territory in West Africa consists of the Federation of French West Africa, French Equatorial Africa and the ex-German Handates of Togoland and the Cameroons.
The tropical products of these territoris are of particular importance to our enemies and it is essential that we should control them at the source. In addition, the particular problem of Senegal is discussed below.
12.
Senegal is separated from French Morocco by some 900 miles of desert which is of little economi importance. The enemy might establish refuelling bases in the desert country for air attack on Freetown or Dakar (if the latter were in our occupation); is nothing we could do to prevent this.
13.
but there
Dakar is a well equipped base and it would be
We should essential to prevent its use by enemy forces. not require to use it ourselves, as we already have a base available at Freetown, Our naval forces operating from Freetown should be capable of preventing the enemy from using Dakar or obtaining supplies from Senegal.
Madagascar
14. Madagascar is of some importance as source of tropical produce, and would be useful as a base for enemy raiders in the Indian Ocean and Cape of Good Hope area. In view of the large area to be covered in the island, we do not consider that occupation would be practicable. Failing the co-operation of the local French authorities, we should have to rely upon our naval forces to prevent the use of the island by enemy raiders. We should, of course, be able to exert some pressure if necessary by cutting off imports into the island.
India.
15.
The strategio importance of France's possessions in India is negligible except possibly in the event of war with Japan, when they might be used for the conveyance of military information by wireless and other means to the enemy •
No action need be taken unless found necessary, when any action required can be taken by the Government of India.
The Americas.
16.
In the Americas, the French possess St. Pierre
Martinique and Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland;
and French Guiana. and Guadeloupe in the West Indies;
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