FOR DE GAULLE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 7

FOR DE GAULLE

; NEW CALEDONIANS GOVERNOR UNPOPULAR i ENTHUSIASM FOR BRITAIN (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday The strong sympathy of most of the people of the French colony New Caledonia with the free French movement under General de Gaulle, as opposed to the adherence of the Governor and the military commandant to the Vichy Government, has caused a political upheaval. This information was brought by passengers who arrived from Noumea to-day in the American clipper.' It was reported a month ago that the Governor, M. Georges Pelissier, in a speech to the Conseil-General, or local parliament, had outlined plans for continued co-operation between the colony and British territories in the Pacific, particularly Australia, and had expressed thanks to the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand and the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Harry Luke, for offers to assist him in his efforts to maintain New Caledonia’s assistance to the Allied cause. Appointment From Vichy This declaration was received with great enthusiasm. However, according to the information brought today, relations subsequently became worse, and last Wednesday the Conseil-General compelled the Governor to resign. Thereupon, it was stated, the Vichy Government appointed the military commandant. Colonel Denis, to be Governor in his place. The members of the council, 15 in number, were gravely dissatisfied at this, holding that Colonel Denis was a supporter of the Vichy Governrr/nt and just as unacceptable as M. Pelissier. Last Friday Sir Harry Luke arrived at Noumea in the Fiji Government’s yacht in the course of a tour of the groups under his jurisdiction. It was stated that he had called to discuss commercial matters with the Government of the colony. Cheers For Free France On Saturday all the members of the Conseil-General, numbering 15, resigned in a body and demanded a general election. This was the signal for a fervent demonstration on the wharf at which the British yacht was berthed. Noumeans of both races, bearing French and British flags, massed there in hundreds. When Sir Harry Luke appeared on deck the crowd gave vociferous cheers for Britain, General de Gaulle and Free France, and sang the national anthems of both countries. Berthed alongside the yacht was the French naval sloop Dumont d’Urville. Her commander, Captain Quievrecourt, although reported to be a strong supporter of the Petain regime, did not attempt to check the demonstration, which he said was not important. 85 Per Cent, of People When the Clipper left, the dispute had not been settled and there was every expectation of further trouble. The American visitors were told that although the high officials ashore and the captain and officers of the sloop supported the Vichy Government, the rank-and-file of the troops and at least 85 per cent, of the population were strongly in favour of General de Gaulle and the closest possible cooperation with the neighbouring British countries. Some of them even advocated something in the nature of an Australian protectorate over the colony.