740.0011 European War 1939/26938: Telegram
The Consul at Aden (Timberlake) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 5—6:59 a.m.]
1. French Somaliland capitulated on December 28 without a shot having been fired. Agreement58 signed by General Dupont, Fowkes and Chancel places colony under Free French with British liaison in all essential services such as port, railway, radio and security. [Page 611] Bayardelle is our new Governor, P. Antoine, Pouvreau, Monnot, Delge and 5 others made prisoners of war.
Fifteen Italian Armistice Commissioners also prisoners. I asked Hopkinson to suggest and recommend turning Commissioners over to us for trading purposes. He agreed and said he did not believe British wanted them. Suggest Department approach London this respect.
- The agreement was dated December 28, 1942.↩