VICHY SPURNED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 251, 20 September 1940, Page 7

VICHY SPURNED

NEW CALEDONIA.

SUPPORT FOR DE GAULLE

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received Sept. 20, 9 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 20.

Advice has been received by the Federal Government from Noumea that New Caledonia has declared itself for “ffee” Erauce and has linked up with General de Gaulle. The temporary Governor appointed by Vicby has resigned to make way for a Governor appointed bv General de Gaulle.

Commenting on the announcement, the Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) said the internal government of Caledonia was a matter lor its people, but Australia was naturally interested in the developments there which meant a friendly French colony strengthening the close economic and cultural ties already existing between Australia and Caledonia. “We have extensive trade relations there, and we will continue to watch affairs with helpful and sympathetic interest,” the Premier said. “We hope that as soon as possible there will be a measure of economic co-operation, not as a matter of hostility against anyone, but as a matter of mutual interest. Caledonia produces much nickel and chrome ore of which Australia has recently made substantia; purchases.”

NO BASE IN SYRIA.

REBUFF FOR ITALIANS.

(Rec. 9.35 a.m.) ANKARA, Sept. 19. The French Charge d’Affaires has informed the newspaper Ulus that no base will be accorded the Italians in Syria and that France was maintaining intact the situation, created by the Mandate. There was no secret clause in the armistice.

PEOPLE EOR DE GAULLE,

GOVERNOR DEPARTS.

BACKGROUND TO SPLIT,

NOUMEA, Sept. 15. New Caledonia has had no fewer than 26 Governors in the past 43 years, yet Governor Pelicier in his brief stay is tlie first ever to have encountered a succession of hostile demonstrations. He owes his downfall to having tried to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds, for the public quickly made up its mind that he could not loyally serve its decision, expressed through the Conseii General. to continue the war alongside Britain, and at the same time give effect to the dictates of a German-con-trolled Government in France. He accordingly left the colony on September 5 by the Pan-American Clipper for San Francisco, unwept, unhonoured and unsung. Following the decision to continue the war, a meeting of departmental heads was convened at which thev were asked by the Governor if they agreed. All then replied yes, they were for continuing the fight for French freedom. That was on June 25.

On July 14, the Day of the Republic, several of these chiefs, as well as many representative people, including ex-6ervicemen, took part in an impressive ceremony at Noumea’s war memorial, again pledging themselves to this end. For the second time within a week or two they marched to the British Consulate. Afterward many people went along to the Radio Pacifique, the official wireless station housed in the former railway building. Here protests were raised against the abandonment of all news except that supplied by Vichy, this being one of the reasons why doubt of the Governor’s intentions was already growing. PLAYING DOUBLE GAME.

To the general stupefaction, on July 24 came an issue of the colony’s official journal (Government publication) containing a formule executoire, or decree, signed by Marshal Retain. This showed that the Governor, without consulting public feeling, had taken it upon himself to recognise the Vichy Government’s authority in the colony. It had the effect of a thunderclap., convincing the doubters that the Governor was playing a double game. Public resentment led to a. fresh meeting of the Conseil General, at. which it was suggested that a telegram be sent to General de Gaulle asking for his instructions; also that a grant of £40,000 be made to assist the Free France war effort. Although unanimously agreed to, it does not appear that either resolution, has been put into effect, although there is no wavering on the part of the 90 per cent, of the population who are for de Gaulle. Incidentally, a reply from General de Gaulle to a cablegram from the committee formed here to act for the cause of “free” France arrived in Noumea on August 31, but was held up for six days before delivery. Censorship restrictions and incidents like this have kept the public in a state of simmering irritation.

BOMB EXPLOSION

The explosion of a bomb or stick of dynamite in the gardens of Government House was the next event. This took place about 7.45 one evening, just alter the Governor had said goodbye to a New York journalist returning home by air from Auckland. Not much damage was done, or, apparent-' Iy, intended. By August Governor Pelicier had lost any popularity he may once have had, but there was a period of relative calm until the arrival of the gunboat, Dumont d’Urville. The warship, it is said, arrived at the Governor’s radioed request, and sent an aeroplane ever the town —to watch out, say the populace, for hostile demonstrations. But the de Gaulle committee were not idle and bad soon signed up on their roster 52 out of the crew of 105.

By the end of August the Conseil General, specially convened, had asked the Governor to resign; whereupon the latter communicated with the Vichy Government, which recalled him. But before his resignation he came out with a frank statement that be was for the Vichy Government. . . Although Colonel Denis is acting with firmness on behalf of the Vichy Government, which appointed him, the public considers that it has been tricked and is inclined to be increasingly bitter and antagonistic.