FRENCH EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 8

FRENCH EMPIRE

EQUITORIAL AFRICA FIGHT BESIDE BRITAIN REAT STRATEGIC VALUE (Official Wireless) (Received August 31, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 30 The fact that French Equatorial frica and the Cameroons have adered to General de Gaulle and anDunced their intention to continue i the war beside Britain is stated in ithoritative circles here to be of •eat strategic value. Britain now has a line of commucation across Africa from Nigeria ► the Sudan, and aerodromes and r routes can be organised to make s use effective, especially if the Axis owers contemplate attempting a >uthward move. In this event they will find cononting them a vast belt of Allied rritory. French Equatorial Africa comises four colonies—Chad, Gabon, bangi and the Middle Congo—havlg a total area of 959,256 square dies, with a native population of 500,000, while the Cameroons; which as a former German colony, now nder French mandate, covers 166,489 tiles, with a native population of 500,000. Duala, the chief port of the Ca»Moons, can dock ships up to 10,000 >ns, and has great possibilities of evelopment. The road and river ansport to the boundaries of the rovince is good, and easy commucation is afforded to Chad. EXCITING EVENTS

lEVOLT OF FREE FRENCHMEN iOVERNOR-GENERAL ARRESTED LOYALTY TO THE ALLIES United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 31, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 30 The Elisabethville (Leopoldville) adio narrated the exciting events receding the decision of French Equatorial Africa to join General e Gaulle’s free French forces. A group of French officers went to he Governor-General’s residence at Brazzaville on August 28 and exressed to the General Staff their isapproval of the colony’s official osition of obedience to the Vichy rovemment, emphatically annourtcig' their intention to join General e Gaulle. The General Staff did not resist, thereupon the officers marched into he room of the Governor-General, vhere he and the Administrator vere conferring, and announced their lecision, advising them not to resist. The Governor-General and the Administrator expressed loyalty to he Vichy Government, whereupon hey were arrested after a struggle. Other officers occupied all the rfficial buildings and raised the flag )f Free France. They also liberated ifflcers previously imprisoned by the Sovemor-General. Colonel de la Minat, now pronoted to the rank of General, responding to the summons in the lame of the entire population, rrossed the River Congo and landed it Brazzaville the same afternoon, was welcomed enthusiastically. The Governor-General and the Administrator were taken to Leopoldville, where the former explained: “Look at the way the offi:ers, pretending to be men of honour, Pave treated a French General.” "Long Live Free France!” The crowd answered: “Long live free France!” whereupon the Governor-General was led away by a Belgian officer. Scenes of enthusiasm followed throughout the night, the crowds expressing loyalty to England, Belgium and France. General de la Minat appealed to officers and others in the other French African colonies to follow the example of the French Congo. LUXEMBURG RULER RECEIVED BY KING QUEEN MARY PRESENT (Omclal Wireless) (Received August 31, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, August 30 The Grand Duchess of Luxemburg was received by the King at Buckingham Palace. Afterwards she lunched with Their Majesties. Queen Mary was also present. HEATED CRITICISM FOsrnoN of sir g. paish ADVISED TO RETURN HOME (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 31, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 The British Embassy revealed that the Marquess of Lothi'an advised Sir George Paish, the British economist to return home soon. Following heated criticism of Sir George by the Senate Lord Lothian suggested to Sir George that his departure would be in the interests of friendly relations between the British and American Governments President Roosevelt stated that very excellent progress is being made with the negotiations with Britain regarding the acquisition of bases in British possessions in the Western Hemisphere.