FREE FRANCE EXPANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 6

FREE FRANCE EXPANDS

General de Gaulle did not speak lightly when he said he had reason to believe that other French colonies would follow the lead of the Chad territory and join the British Empire in the struggle for freedom. The Cameroons and French Congo in French Equatorial Africa have thrown off the incubus of Petain’s Government and sworn allegiance to Free France and the Allied cause. These huge territories, extending into the heart of Africa and joining with British possessions in the east, are important. They complete a broad band of Allied territory across the middle of Africa, provide a means of communication with North Africa and throw into the scales against the aggressors another several millions in population. Sooner or later Germany would have attempted to exploit these former possessions of metropolitan France. The Cameroons in particular offered valuable bases for German submarines or surface raiders on what is now one of the most important Empire trade routes down the West Coast of Africa. If Germany had become established there in conjunction with hostile Frenchmen, Britain would at least have become involved in an expensive and undesirable military and naval expedition. The Cameroons as an ally become a very different proposition. Cable messages speak of a “revolt” in the territory, which may be explained by the fact that this was, before the Great War, Germany’s proudest overseas possession, and still, no doubt, harbours a certain German influence. The revolt is also against the commands of the French Government at Vichy. Free France which General de Gaulle leads is no longer the empty name that Germany has derided, and if de Gaulle’s hopes are realised it will be more substantial yet. The position of Belgian and Dutch overseas colonies is for the time being less certain. The French colonies have revolted against the Petain Government, but the dependencies of Holland and Belgium have had no reason to revolt. Their home Governments have not surrendered to the Germans but have been placed temporarily under control by force. They are therefore subjected to German pressure which would be deeply deplored in the colonies. They must, apparently, wait in a state something like neutrality until the day of deliverance or until the position at home changes materially.