FREE FRENCHMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1940, Page 8

FREE FRENCHMEN

RALLY TO GENERAL DE GAULLE OVERSEAS ENTHUSIASM [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 21. The following communique has been issued from General de Gaulle’s General Headquarters: “The. rallying to free France of ore and more colonies—Chad, Cameroons, French Equatorial-Africa, French possessions in India and the Pacific—corresponds throughout the whole world to the magnificent movement in favour of free French forces. This rallying has been carried out by the enthusiasm of colonial people who do not want the French Empire to be disintegrated. This movement has manifested itself in several ways—first of all, by the enlistment under the flag of France and the emblem of the Cross of Lorraine of Frenchmen of far off countries, who have placed themselves at the disposal of General de Gaulle after long and often hazardour journeys. Some, in particular, have recently arrived from Morocco, from French West Africa, from 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 at General Headquarters, dressed in borrowed clothes, ragged but resolute, and ready to serve immediately in the Army, Navy, or Air Force of the free French forces. This rallying has also manifested itself by activities of groups of free Frenchmen throughout the whole world —groups which formed themselves spontaneously, and which from the United States to Shanghai,. and from the Argentine Republic to Egypt, have answered General de Gaulle’s appeal, and are trying to increase a movement of resistance which has already saved the honour of Frenchmen, and which will assure its eventual freedom of their country. Thus, upon The General Headquarters of General de Gaulle, there has been showered most varied manifestations in favour of this crusade for liberty. This movement in favour of the eventual freedom of France and Europe has in a few weeks taken on such a magnitude, and obtained such results that free France can, already assure her allies of efficacious support in the coming fight. Ih Egypt, in particular, troops of free French forces and French airmen have already taken part in the fight against Italian forces. Free French forces grouped around General de Gaulle salute these fighters of its first hour, who, under the Tricolour, have taken up the . struggle for the ultimate victory of the Allies.” The following message has been sent to General de Gaulle by M. Sautot, appointed by him as High Commissioner of all French possessions on the Pacific: “On .this historic day, when New Caledonia has rallied to free France, an event which I proclaimed this afternoon to a crowd vibrating with enthusiasm, and which had come from all corners of the island, I have the great joy of 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 victory, at the side of their British Allies.” TROOPS FROM SYRIA (Recd. Sept. 23, 1 p.m.) BEIRUT, September 22. The French liner Theophile Gautier has arrived, to repatriate 2500 French troops. More vessels are expected shortly.

GERMAN GOODS. VICHY, September 22. It is officially stated that German exports are,being granted the mostfavoured nation treatment in France and the French Empire.