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76 Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, to Mr A. W. Fadden, Prime Minister

Cablegram 57 LONDON, 1 October 1941, 10.10 p.m.

FOR THE PRIME MINISTER SECRET

My telegram 14 of 22nd August. [1]

D'Argenlieu. [2] Further points contained in Mr. Menzies' telegram
4714 of 25th August [3] were brought at Once to the notice of the
United Kingdom Government who referred them to the Free French
Headquarters. I have just received reply from the United Kingdom
Government setting out the answer of Cassin (Secretary of the Free
French Defence Council and now Commissioner for justice and
Education on the National Committee). Cassin points out that de
Gaulle [4] received Sautot's [5] offer to resign but replied
stating that he had every confidence in the Governor. According to
Cassin d'Argenlieu's functions were in no way confined to
'Gouvernement local' and while he would have large civil powers,
the main purpose of his mission would be the Organisation of
defence of French possessions throughout the Pacific area. He
ended 'La situation de Gouverneur Sautot dans son ile reste
intacte'. The High Commissioner for the Western Pacific [6] also
expresses ideas about d'Argenlieu's appointment similar to those
set out in Mr. Menzies' telegram and Cassin asked that Luke be
advised that d'Argenlieu's appointment was in no way due to
intrigue of Brunot [7] but principally to military needs and also
to the internal situation in Tahiti. There was nothing he said in
this matter which in any way reflected on Sautot.

BRUCE

1 Document 48.

2 Free French High Commissioner for the Pacific.

3 On file AA:A981, New Caledonia 20. It transmitted to Bruce the
cablegram referred to in Document Si, note 1.

4 President of the Free French National Committee.

5 Free French Governor of New Caledonia.

6 Sir Harry Luke.

7 In charge of the Free French administration in Tahiti.


[AA:A981, NEW CALEDONIA 20]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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