FIGHTING FRENCH DELEGATE

Evening Star, Issue 24277, 19 August 1942, Page 3

FIGHTING FRENCH DELEGATE

ADMIRAL D'ARGENLIEU WELCOMED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. Formally welcoming Contre-Amiral G. T. d’Argenlieu, the delegate of the Fighting French in the Pacific, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, paid a tribute to General tie Gaulle and all his associates representing the France “ that wo knew, that we love and we honour.” Vichy was not France, he said. Vichy represented the bankruptcy of what was France. Mr Fraser added that Admiral d’Argenlieu was a highly-cultured man who was prominent in many fields and who had played his part in the last war. He had been a member of the Carmelite Order, but the present war had brought him forth once more into the French Navy. His present war service had included a gallant part in the defence of Cherbourg, after which he had become a prisoner of war; but had escaped. Referring specifically to the Solomon Islands action by the United States, Mr Fraser said the Fighting French, in common with New Zealanders. were following the fortunes of the United States forces. They knew that upon the outcome of this struggle depended to a great extent thofuture and fate of New Caledonia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Admiral d’Argenlieu, replying, said that Fighting France was fully resolved to fight to the end with the Allies so that the cause of liberty might prevail.