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ANNEX II.
Copy of a telegram dated 10th October, 1940 from
Officer Administering the Government, Aden to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 512 (Part 1) Most Secret.
My telegram No. 504.
Monsieur Gros who emaphsises that he has no official status, explained the situation to me as follows: French Somaliland is authorised to maintain in various forms some 1,700 to 1,800 men fully equipped and armed with artillery, tanks and probably aircraft. Remainder to be evacuated, four fully equipped battalions to Indo China, services no longer required and sick to Madagascar. Territory would in effect be neutralised and garrison would oppose any attack. From an economic standpoint Axis presses use being made of the railway and the raising of sequestration of Italian goods at Jibuti and their return to Italy. These are 2,000 tons of coal, 300 tons of cement and 500 tons of mixed oils (not including any petrol), A barter arrangement has been concluded which provides for the supply of foodstuffs to Jibuti against the supply of coal and salt to Italy. Quantities (corrupt group) include 3,000 tons of coal includ- ing the 2,000 tons mentioned above. So far 80 tons of coal and 20 of salt have been sent to Italy and 40 tons of sugar received. Deliveries are to be spread over 6 months. No demand has been made "Liquid Carburants" nor has the subject been mentioned.
The French Somaliland Government desires the following:-
(1) to send 4 battalions as reinforcements to Indo-China and asks His Majesty's Government to authorise the voyage of two ships.
(2) to remove to Madagascar persons of consequence out of military establishments who are useless mouths to feed at Jibuti: sick, retired officials, military surplus to establish demoblised persons and so on: authority is sought for one or several voyages between Jibuti and Madagascar,
(3) to ensure sufficiently certain and regular supplies to Jibuti of foodstuffs, and with this end in view (a) to establish at Jibuti under conditions to be discussed a reserve of staple reserves such as rice, sugar, millet, oil, flour, meat on hoof or preserved ABUJEDID (a kind of sheeting) representing a number of months (to be fixed) supplies based according to the possibilities of shipping (b) to have assurance that building of this reserve can be achieved by purchases at Aden, or in the Yemen, or eventually if circumstances permit in the French Colonies and (c) to have assurance that the necessary authority will be given for purchase against sterling of rupees and Marie Theresa dollars necessary to these purchases.
I told Gros what the existing position was and impressed on him that while we wished to maintain friendly relations with Jibuti all questions had to be regarded in the light of military requirements. As regards the 4 battalions I said that it had been decided that our interests were better served by their remaining in Jibuti as it meant the Italians
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