RALLYING TO COLOURS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 8

RALLYING TO COLOURS

MESSAGE FROM LEADER MAGNIFICENT MOVEMENT {United Press Asn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21 The following communique was issued today from General de Gaulle’s headquarters:— “ The rallying to Free France of more and more colonies—Chad, the Cameroons, French Equatorial Africa, and French possessions in India and the Pacific—corresponds throughout the whole world to a magnificent movement in favour of the Free French Forces. This rallying has been carried out by the enthusiasm of the colonial people, who do not want the French Empire to be disintegrated. “ This moveir/2nt has manifested itself in several ways—first of all by the enlistment under the flag of France and the emblem of the Cross of Loraine of Frenchmen of far-off countries, who have placed themselves at the disposal of General de Gaulle after ..long, and often hazardous, journeys. Ready to Serve “ Some recently arrived from Morocco, from French West Africa, South America, or 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, dressed in borrowed clothes, ragged but resolute and ready to serve immediately. “ This rallying has also manifested itself by the activities of groups of free Frenchmen throughout the whole world—groups which formed themselves spontaneously and which, from the United States to Shanghai, from the Argentine to Egypt, have answered General de Gaulle’s appeal. “ This movement in favour of the eventual freedom of France and Europe has, in a few weeks, taken on such magnitude and obtained such results that Free France can already assure her allies of efficacious support in the coming fight. “ In Egypt in particular the Free French troops and airmen have already taken part in the fight against the Italian forces. The Free French Forces grouped around 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.” French Possessions In Pacific The following message has been sent to General de Gaulle by M. Sautot, new Governor of New Caledonia, whom General de Gaulle has appointed High Commissioner of all French possessions in the Pacific:— “On this historic day, when New Caledonia has allied herself witn Free France—an event which I proclaimed this afternoon to a crowd vibrating with enthusiasm 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 is reached at the side of its British allies.”