851T.00/48a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Dakar (Flexer)
94. For your information it is reported from a reliable source that within the next 10 days the Germans will take full but not [Page 379] public control of commercial port activities at Dakar, including customs, maritime and civilian police, transportation, passengers, cargoes and manifests. On the other hand, it is reported from another source that the Germans have, if only temporarily, postponed sending a military observer to Dakar. The opposition of Boisson was said to have been partially responsible for German decision to postpone the mission.
It is stated that there are indications that the Germans may now demand the right to establish a consulate at Dakar on the grounds that they are entitled to equal representation with us.