VIVE LA FRANCE!

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 14, 3 September 1914, Page 4

VIVE LA FRANCE!

The news of the outbreak of hostili- ' ties created a great sensation in the French colony of Now Caledonia, and steps were at once taken by tlio authorities to put the defences of the Island in order. Volunteers woro called for. Every person owning a gun and able to use it has been asked to give his name to the Governor, together with the amount of nmimmi tion at his disposal. A ladies' committee, headed by the wife of the Act-ing-Governor, i\i lleiiquot, has boon established for purposes similar to those engaging the attention of ladies in Sydney. The discussion of all lo cal affairs stopped, and the population of the island united in face of common danger. Now Caledonia i.not usually well supplied with cable information, but the Government is in receipl of most of the news thai reaches Sydney, and cablegrams are now posted in various parts of the town of Noumea as they arrive, the inhabitant? being notified of the ar- • rival of important cablegrams by the hoisting of q flag at the local sema- '

piiore station. Naturally enough, tiie news that France had been invaded by the German troops caused a good deal of consternation among the islanders. Discussing the situation, "La France Australe" stated that upon this war depended the very existence of Kranee. "Jn fact, the writer went on. "if, which God for'dd, Germany should be victorious! in this conflict, she will establish in Europe her hegemony, her tyrannical domination, her rule of iron. She will crush Cor ever the naval superiority of the "United Kingdom. She will grind her voracious teeth into our territory, and our extensive and rich colonial empire.i We cannot contemplate without a shudder such a frightful outcome, a future so terrific. The contemplation of it makes the heart stand still. But, in spite of all, we are buoyed up hy a great hope. We have an unshakable confidence in the power and energy of our race, in the loyalty and strength of our Allies. Cheer up. Let us not he cast down by dark and dismal thoughts. France is not dead vet. Vive La France!"