FRENCH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 7

FRENCH EMPIRE

DECISION OF COLONIES TO CONTINUE FIGHT AT SIDE OF BRITAIN DAVENTRY, August 29 It was announced in London last night by General de Gaulle, the leader of free Frenchmen, that further colonies of the French Empire had decided to again take up the struggle for liberty and had joined the forces commanded by himself.

The latest colonies to follow the example set by Chad are French Equatorial Africa and the Cameroons. He added that further colonies were expected to give their support to the British Empire.

French Equatorial Africa comprises over 1,000,000 square miles and has a population in excess of 3,500,000. The strategic value of the colony lies in the fact that the Empire has a direct route from the Atlantic seaboard, through Africa to the Red Sea. If it so happened that the reinforcement of troops through the Mediterranean was not practical there was an alternative route over land. The Cameroons, which were formerly German territory and given to France under mandate after the last war, has great strategical importance. Comprising 166,000 square miles, with a population of 3,000,000, it will make an ideal base for British warships, as it is in close proximity to the sea route between Britain and her overseas possessions. It was the most valuable of Germany’s former colonies. Britain’s Capacity to Win The decision of the French Cameroons and French Equatorial Africa to place themselves under the command of General de Gaulle’s representative has given great satisfaction here as affording a striking example of the belief in the British capacity to win the war. General de Gaulle said this vast and valiant part of the French territory has decided to defend itself and will be defended. No doubt other parts in turn will tread the path of honour and duty. General de Gaulle said: “At the capital of French Equatorial Africa my representatives, acclaimed by the whole population and welcomed by all the troops, took the civil and military power in hand. Thus, menaced by the covetousness of the German and Italian enemy and placed by the detestable armistice in an economic situation for which there is no outlet, the whole of the colonies of our Equatorial Africa have reentered the war. “The French Empire is toeing the line. The French Empire is rising to make war.” Another General Joins News has been received that General Catroux, formerly GovernorGeneral of French Indo-China, has joined General de Gaulle. General Catroux was relieved of his post in Indo-China by the Vichy Government because he wished to continue the struggle at the time of the French surrender. He has had considerable military experience in the Near East and Morocco, and is one of the outstanding figures in modern French colonial history. Dismissal of Governors The Vichy Government has dismissed the Governors of the Cameroons, Chad and New Caledonia.