Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

108 Department of External Affairs to Mr B. C. Ballard, Official Representative in New Caledonia

Cablegram 13 8 September 1940,

IMMEDIATE SECRET

My No. 11. [1]

In response to suggestion from United Kingdom Government we have agreed to dispatch of H.M.A.S. Adelaide to Vila, with date of arrival September 7, having in mind possibility that local situation in New Caledonia might necessitate dispatch of vessel to Noumea. United Kingdom Government now propose that Adelaide should escort Sautot [2] to Noumea with commission as Governor from de Gaulle. [3] Please telegraph immediately your views on this proposal along with any information you have about movements of Dumont d'Urville. Commission to Sautot is ready in draft and we have been asked to express our views urgently to London. Texts of United Kingdom messages referred to are being dispatched tomorrow.

[4]

1 Dispatched 6 September. See file AA:A981, New Caledonia 37.

2 French Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides.

3 Leader of the Free French movement.

4 The texts of Document 105 and of U.K. Dominions Office cablegram 328 of 6 September were repeated to Ballard as nos 14 and 15 on 9 September. See file AA:A981, New Caledonia 37.

[AA:A981, NEW CALEDONIA 37]

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