Fighting French

Chiefs

Changes in the Pacific

REAR-ADMIRAL Thierry d’Argenlieu, who was High Commissioner of the Free French territories in the South Pacific for nearly two years, is now the head of the Free French Navy. His head quarters are in London, where he acts as liaison between the French Navy, the National Committee, which is now the de facto Government of Fighting France, and the Governments of Britain and the United States. His position is virtually that of Minister for the Navy in the

Government of Free France. He left the Pacific early in 1943 to attend the Casa blanca Conference with General de Gaulle.

When Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu came into the Pacific early in 1941, the political situation in New Caledonia, French Oceania and New Hebrides was confused.

Especially was there trouble in French Oceania, where Commandant Brunot, sent out from London in some still un known capacity, had arrested the Tahiti Governor, Dr. de Curton, and (in an offi cial sense) had run amok. D’Argenlieu went to Tahiti and cleared up the situa tion without fuss, so that Brunot dis appeared, and Colonel Georges Orselli, the present popular Governor, was put in charge.

It was reported from New York on August 11 that M. Christian Laigret, “French National Committee’s Governor of French possessions in the Pacific” was on his way to Noumea.

It is not known in Sydney, as yet, whether M. Laigret is to take the place of Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu, as High Commissioner, or of M. Henri Mont champ, who retired recently from the Governorship of New Caledonia in order to join the French Army in North Africa.

Persons who have been inquiring for copies of the Pacific Islands Monthly published in recent years should note that a full file of the “PIM” covering the last three years, may be obtained from a Mr.

W. L. Young, 7 Mansfield Street, Glebe Point, Sydney. Anyone interested should communicate directly with Mr. Young

Rear-Admiral Thierry d’Argenlieu.