New York Times
 
VICHY AFRICA SAID
TO PIN HOPES ON US
 
Free French Believe 'Token Force' Could Win North and West Colonies to Allies
 
GROUND HELD PREPARED
 
Our Mission at, Brazzaville Cited
Officers Ssy Move Would Hasten War's End
 
By A. C. SEDGWICK
     Wireless to the  New York Times. BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 9 (Delayed) -The course that
French North Africa and French West Africa will take at the crucial moment of decision, believed
here soon to arrive, will not be determined either by Britain or the Free French--that is, if
bloodshed and the ensuing complications are to be avoided--but by the United States alone, it is
said here.
    This is the opinion of a number of high ranking French officers who profess familiarity with the
conditions of thought at present prevailing in the French African possessions, particularly among
the army chiefs there. It is held certain that an American token force that need not exceed two
battalions, acting, so to speak, as ambassadors could win over the vitally needed African territory
by hardly more than their mere presence.                                           
    The lesson was learned in the  Syrian campaign, it is stated, from  which the Alllies should
profit. Bitterness was and still is fairly characteristic of the attitude of many
Frenchmen toward the British and more particularly toward the de Gaullist elements while no
feeling except those of friendliness exist  to any appreciable extent toward the United States.          
      The bonds of former friendship between France and the New  World power are unimpaired by
historical or present jealousies which fact, it is said, makes France psychologically prepared to 
accede to American demands.                             
      It is also pointed out that Vichy would be able to offer an excuse for non-resistance on the
grounds that it was impossible to take on a third enemy and that Germany would have no other
course than to be satisfied.
      The need for what is described as "polite aggressiveness and tactful firmness" is held urgent. It
is believed- that advantage could be taken of the now well-advanced preparations of Free French
Equatorial Africa which, for several months, have been largely under the supervision of an
American mission at Brazzaville.                                 
     Clearing up Africa, it is argued, is perhaps the swiftest means of bringing the war to an end.
Without danger of possible attack from that quarter the Eighth Army,  supplemented by the Ninth,
would effectively hinder any new scheme  that Reichsfuehrer Hitler might entertain for spreading
his power to the Mediterranean, Suez and the Middle East and thereby deprive him of Caucasian
oil and the almost equally needed stocks of. wool, cotton, mohair and leather. 
    That Herr Hitler is planning  some new aggression in this part of the world appears to be
indicated by reliable reports of new  air commands being established in Bulgaria as well as in
Southern Italy. Recently there has been a large increase of supplies sent to Greece and Bulgaria.