FREE FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24410, 23 September 1940, Page 8

FREE FRANCE

:pUSADE FOR LIBERTY ENTHUSIASM IN COLONIES RALLYING TO EXILED GENERAL (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21. .' (Received Sept. 22, at 10 p.m.) '..The following commui.ique was Issued from General De Gaulle's . general headquarters : "The rallying to Free France Of more and more colonies—Chad, the Cameroons, French Equatorial 'Africa, and the French possessions 'in India and the Pacific—corresponds throughout the whole world to the magnificent movement in favour of free French forces.. This rallying has been carried out by. the enthusiasm of the colonial people, who ,do not want the French Empire to be disintegrated. This, movement ihas manifested itself in several ways —first of all by enlistment under the flag of France and the emblem jf the Cross of Lorraine of Frenchmen • of far-off countries, who placed themselves at the disposal of General De Gaulle after long and often hazardous journeys. Some in particular have recently arrived from Morocco, from French West Africa, from South America, or from the Pacific. Latterly, a great number of them, whose ship had been set on .fire by a bomb off the English coast, 1 presented themselves as soon as they arrived at general headquarters, dressed in borrowed clothes, ragged but resolute, and ready to serve immediately in the army, the navy, or the Air Force of the Free French forces. "This rallying has also manifested itself by the activities of groups of free Frenchmen throughout the whole world—groups which formed themselves spontanesusly and which from the United States to Shanghai and from the Argentine Republic to Egypt, have answered General De Gaulle's appeal, and are trying to increase the movement of resistance, which has already saved the honour of Frenchmen, and will assure eventual freedom of their country. ' " Thus, upon the general headquarters of General De Gaulle there have been showered most varied manifestations in favour of this crusade for liberty. This movement in favour of the eventual freedom, of France and Europe has ih a few weeks taken on such magnitude and obtained such results that Free France can already assure her allies :bf efficacious support in the coming fight. In Egypt, in particular, the troops of Free French forces and 'French airmen have already taken part in the fight against the Italian forces. The Free French forces, grouped around General De Gaulle salute these fighters of the first hour, -who, under the Tricolour, have taken up the struggle for the ultimate victory of the Allies." New Caledonia's Decision The following message has been sent to General de Gaulle by M. Sautot, who was appointed by him to be High Commissioner of all French possessions in the Pacific. "On this historic day, when New Caledonia has rallied to Free France, an event which I proclaimed this afternoon to a crowd vibrating with enthusiasm and which had come from all- corners of the island, ,I have great joy in telling you of the feeling of confidence which the population of New Caledonia has and. of its. wish to take part in the war-until-.the final victory at the ■ide of our British allies.