DEFECTION HINTED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 7

DEFECTION HINTED

MORE FRENCH COLONIES GREAT UNREST ADMITTED Rec. 8.55 p.m. London, Sept. 22. An official spokesman of the Petain Government admitted at Vichy to-day that as a result of the free French movement of General de Gaulle incidents were occurring practically throughout French Africa and unrest was intense in Syria, Dahomey and Frenchmandated Togoland. It is expected that the two last-named colonies will join General de Gaulle. A communique issued from General de Gaulle's general headquarters in Britain stated: — "The rallying to free France of more and more colonies — Chad, the Cameroons, French Equatorial Africa, French possessions in India and in 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 tne French empire to be disintegrated. Manlfested in Many Ways. "This movement has manifested itself in several ways — first of all by the enllstment under the flag of France and the emblem of the cross of Lorraine of Frenchmen of far off countries who have placed themselves at the disposal of General de Gaulle, after long and often hazardous journeys. Some in particular have recently arrived from Moroceo, from French West Africa, from South America and from the Pacific. Latterly a great number of them whose ship had been set on fire by a bomb off the English coast presented themselves as soon as they arrived at general headquarters drcssed in borrowed clothes, ragged but resolute, ready to serve immediately in the army, navy or air force of the free French forces. . "This rallying has also manifested itself by the activities of groups from Frenchmen throughout the whole world —groups which have formed themselves spontaneously 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 honbur of Frenchmen and which will assure the eventual freedom of their country. Crusade for Liberty. "Thus upon the general headquarters of General de Gaulle there has showered the most varied manifestations in favour of this crusade for liberty. This' movement in favour of the eventual freedom of France and Europe has in a few weeks taken on such a magnitude and obtained such results that free France can already assure her Allies of: efficacious support in the coming flght. "In Egypt in particular the troops of the free French forces and French airmen have already taken part in the fight against Italian forces. The free French forces grouped round 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." The following message has been sent to General de Gaulle by M. Sautot, who was appointed by him 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 final victory at the side of the British Allies."